Slowing Down to Listen
Family needs. Work demands. Social obligations. And a constant barrage of media begging for attention. To be sure, life is hectic, noisy, and stressful at times.
Trying to keep up with it all, I become driven by external pressure, pushing any sense of connectedness to Christ to the periphery. This morning, I resisted the pull to charge headlong into the day and did something different.
I. Slowed. Down.
With a cup of coffee, I sat quietly and read a few scripture passages, turning them into conversation with the One I was reading about (Lk. 24:32).
At one point, I asked Jesus if there was anything he wanted to “say.” I was reminded of truths I had forgotten, but needed to hear again:
- I love you with a true and everlasting love (Jer. 31:3).
- I am with you always, even when you don't sense my presence (Isa. 41:10, Mt. 28:20).
- Through my indwelling Spirit, I am in you (Jn. 14:16-18, Jn. 14:20).
- Invite me into the things that tempt you to worry and pull you away from me (1 Pet. 5:6-7).
- Let me do the heavy lifting (Mat. 11:28-30).
- The life you are trying to secure for yourself is in me. I am Life itself (Jn. 1:4; Jn. 6:35; Jn. 14:6).
- Draw from me rather than striving on your own. Apart from me, you cannot accomplish anything of lasting value (Jn. 15:4-5).
- Everything you need to navigate today dwells in me in fullness (Col 2:9).
- I have made this fullness available to you through my Spirit (Col. 2:10, Jn. 1:16).
- Stay connected to me. Rest in me. (Jas. 4:14; Col. 2:9-10).
Today, may you draw upon the grace to slow down and encounter this living, resurrected Christ. He extends the same invitation to us that he did to his followers long ago: "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" (Mk. 6:31).
