Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Hurry Up and Slow Down

"THE ABILITY TO CALM YOUR SOUL AND WAIT BEFORE GOD IS ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. OUR OLD NATURE IS RESTLESS; THE WORLD AROUND US IS FRANTICALLY IN A HURRY. BUT A RESTLESS HEART USUALLY LEADS TO A RECKLESS LIFE." — WARREN WIERSBE


 No one wants to wait for anything today. We live in an instant gratification society. Some drive-through fast food restaurants promise that your wait will be less than 5 minutes or your order will be free. Some pizza companies tell you that you will have your pizza within 30 minutes or its free too. We have drive through banking and can even pick up our prescriptions through a drive through window without ever having to leave our car. We hate long lines and detest being put on hold when talking to someone on the telephone. Yes, we hate to wait. 


When it comes to our spiritual life we tend to be no different. We don't want to wait for God to move in our situation, so being the impatient beings that we are, and being programmed by the society around us, we try to solve our problems on our own without allowing any input from God at all.


 Everyone is in a hurry and has no time to wait. But what are we rushing to? Why are we in such a hurry; so impatient? Rushing around brings with it confusion and stress which lead to a restlessness that is hard to settle. God is not the author of confusion but of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33). When we have a restlessness in our soul we find commitment difficult whether it be commitment to relationships or to jobs and we have a lack of peace and contentment. 


We live in a world where people are seeking peace but never finding the real thing. Retreat weekends, spas and massages are more common today than at any other time in modern history. It seems as if everyone is searching for peace and calm away from the rushing of the world around them. But even if we attended a retreat weekend every weekend and had a massage every day, we wouldn't find the peace we are seeking because we are looking in the wrong place. It is only when we calm our spirit and wait for God's direction for our lives that we will live a more contented life and have true peace. 


Yes, it is hard to calm your soul and wait for the Lord when everything all around you is going at top speed, but its not impossible. When you find yourself with life crowding in on you take the time to be alone with God. Read His Word (Psalms is a good place to find the peace you're looking for) and pray to Him. Listen for His voice and be still before Him. He will flood your soul with a peace that the world cannot understand. It is a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).


"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27


 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33

1 comment

  1. Oh, so true! I have been waiting a year n a half n some days I actually thought I would lose my mind until I stopped n let His arms wrap around me and regained that peace that is beyond my understanding. Good Word!!

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