Life Doesn’t Slow Down, But We Can
I can admit to being one of those people who loves and hates being busy at the same time. I enjoy having things to do, tasks to complete, milestones to achieve, goals to make progress toward, but I somehow always allow those things to overwhelm me. Crazy, I know. The constant loop of being bored and feeling guilty, then being busy and not making time to do the things I said I would, and then feeling guilty? Vicious.
Sometimes I imagine God shaking His head at my antics. Clearly, I’m a glutton for punishment. I’m sure that’s rooted in something much deeper, but I’ll remain at the surface today.
A friend of mine, perhaps the best friend I’ve ever had, commented on how I wrote one blog post and disappeared. I can’t lie, I was a tad bit embarrassed because they were right.
I’ve had every intention of finishing the drafts I’ve started, but my follow-through just hasn’t been great.
That same friend left me an email on the blog (you can do that, btw 🙂), and it brought me to tears because it felt like a reprieve, a long, warm hug. Even when things feel like too much and time seems to fly while the to-do list is BARELY moving, in the stillness, there is love, there is hope, there is a reminder that, in the grand scheme of things, not much matters…
I want to be the person who continuously seeks God before I move—when I’m confused and feeling out of my depth, when nothing seems to be progressing, and when I’m overwhelmed.
I can happily say that I’ve invited God into meetings and conversations over the past few weeks (when I remembered), and what may seem like such a simple act has made such a big difference.
The urge to want to be perfect or to have it all together is convincing, but sooo unrealistic. I’m learning to ask Him to show up. He’s always there, but don’t we all appreciate a special invitation?
Life is happening all around us. It doesn’t slow down, but we can.
Life doesn’t slow down. But we can.
I know I need to slow down. I may have a control “problem” that I’ll be taking to the Lord in prayer, but I recognize that doing life on my own will never be as peaceful as it would be with Him intimately involved. And that requires work on our part.
So I’ll encourage you (and me) to pick up your Bible, turn that 5-minute prayer into an intimate 30-minute session of seeking His face, and try to be still. Work will always be there. Studies will still be on the list of things to do. But your soul… is it fed? Are you nourished? Did you even stop to put on the armour of God before you went about your day?
I’m guilty of being busy—too busy, sometimes of my own doing. Make stillness a priority. How else do you intend to hear from God? Amidst the noise? In the background? Not to say it’s not possible, but it’s not indicative of a Kingdom citizen who is in pursuit of God.
We’ll never be perfect, but we can strive to make improvements every day. So here’s your reminder (and mine): encourage someone, uplift someone, and don’t forget to take a much-needed break. Slow down. Be still.
P.S. To my friend, whenever you check the blog again, thank you. Thank you for reminding me that I have thoughts worth sharing with others. ❤️ Until next time…
— Brandi Dion | Joyful
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10