Life comes at us fast. Sounds like part of commercial doesn’t it? If Nationwide Insurance is telling us every other commercial that life is moving fast, we are bound to believe it sooner or later. Everyday is a race to see how much we can get finished and by the end of the day we begin to dread going to bed to start it all over again. But do we need to run a race to achieve our passions, fulfill our dreams or complete our to do list? Where is the pause in our day and what would happen if we pressed the button to slow down? Would our day still be as effective?
On any given day, I mentally map out my morning and can feel immediate frustration if one step is derailed. I have created my to do list and find great satisfaction when each little imaginary box is checked off. I am a planner and love knowing that each detail has a home and can temporarily live there until it is time to move on to the next detail. I am asking myself recently what am I gaining by hanging onto my detail-filled plan? Is it helping me to move forward in a way that I am fulfilled, accomplished or even happy?
God calls us to rest and this isn’t done in an offhanded way. He knows we need to step back and press the pause button in our lives. The question for all of us who love to plan is, “how in the world do we do that?” I am currently asking myself this question. It may appear to be a part of your life that you have a handle on or if you are like me, you need help!
[Tweet “A pause provides rest in our daily pursuit of life.”]
I have treated myself to taking more time recently to read. One of the books I have been soaking in is Looking for Lovely by Annie Downs. She is real and when she writes, you feel like you are sitting across the table from her talking about life. I am halfway through this delightful book and totally stopped dead in my tracks yesterday, while I was reading the chapter on athletes. Here are the words that spoke into the piece of my soul where my deepest craving is right now.
When life is hurrying out of control, we are not winning anything. The plan we believed was so great is a train wreck. Life doesn’t feel right. But that one sentence above spoke to me and I paused right there in the middle of my day to try to figure out why. I am seeking answers right now and along the way, I am learning to …
Soak in God’s word. This is where you will find truth.
Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
Accept grace from others. Know it is God’s gift to you. Extend grace to yourself.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10
Take time to pause by reading, walking, listening to music or whatever allows you to step away from all those little details.
Yes, my soul, find rest in God;
my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5
I am praying for all that we find the pause in our day and learn that this rest is our victory.
Blessings of grace along the way!
Linking with Give Me Grace
Oh so good. Thanks for this needed reminder to press that PAUSE button. Without it, we’ll keep on ricocheting ahead without thought or purpose.
Thanks for this gentle offering, friend …
Pressing the pause button is so restorative. I am learning to give myself the grace to accept the gift of rest. It is not always easy. I always love when you stop by. It is a beautiful pause in my day.
Thank you for encouraging us to pause, Mary. It’s so easy to think we need to be “doing” instead of resting at the feet of Jesus. It reminds me of Mary and Martha. I love the photo! Blessings and hugs to you!
We are a society of doers rather than people who rest. It causes us to burn out and not be productive as a result. I hadn’t thought of Mary and Martha but it does fit perfectly. Thank you for pointing that out. I pray you have a beautiful week.
Permission to take a full stop. God gives it to us, each day. Why do we think we need permission from anyone else? Good stuff, Mary! This is one of those lessons you have to take one day at a time, and extend yourself a lot of grace when {I} inevitably fail 🙂 I love meeting you here on Sundays, my friend! Blessings!
You are speaking truth. We do already have permission to sit and be still with God in whatever form that looks like. He would love nothing more than for us to do that. As for grace-I am always better at giving it to others than to myself. Thank you for being here on Sundays as we soak in the truth that God has for each of us.
In a world where how how many check marks we have beside our to-do lists creates ‘value,’ resting can seem like it is a fruitless score. But how so untrue! I know it is a balance I still tip off too heavy one one side or the other. I like how Annie has the success wrapped in the pause. Great thoughts!
There is a balance we should strive for in our lives and God is willing to show us what that can look like. I also tip the scale to one side but am trying to pause and listen. When I start guiding myself through life, I end up making so many mistakes. Thank you for your sweet encouragement and for sharing a piece of who you are when you stop by.
Mary,
I think I need to pick up Annie’s book – given all the good reviews. I also need to allow myself to rest and read. For some reason I feel like that is self-indulgent to just sit and read. But, as you pointed out, it truly is scriptural to pause, rest, and just be still.
Memorial Day Blessings to you,
Bev
You should pick up Annie’s book. It has been a joy and a blessing to me. I am allowing myself to take time to pause. God loves when we draw close to Him. Hope you had a wonderful weekend.
I needed this confirmation. Such great wisdom.
Thank you Elizabeth. I am blessed by your sweet words of encouragement. Blessings!
Mary, thank you so much for the encouragement to pause. I want to remember to do that every day, but often I forget. That’s a great quote from the book by Annie Downs. I’ve heard a lot about that book. I’ll have to wait until I finish some other books and then maybe I can check it out. Blessings to you! xo
I am now just about finished with Annie’s book and I have found other gems that have hit home while I was reading. There is so much to be learned in the pauses of our life. We just need to gift ourselves the time to let them happen. Thank you for being here today.
I loved loved loved Looking for Lovely! I’ve been reading more and more lately too. I just finished Accidental Saints by Nadia Bolz-Weber, A Witness by my friend Renee Splichal Larson and The Bridge by Karen Kingsbury. I can’t wait to start my next book. I love summer because it reminds me to pause and take in Gods creation. Love you friend!
I am getting back into treating myself to reading books. There have been times this past year where my brain just didn’t seem to be able to handle reading a book, but God is teaching me that feeding our souls in the pause is a good thing to do. So glad you have treated yourself to reading. Love you too.
We’re reading the same book at the same time — and I just love Annie. She puts the truth so simply, and yet makes such profound statements (such as the one you pointed out)!
Blessings, Mary!
Annie seems to speak my language and I loved her book “Let’s All Be Brave”. I love how reading other authors opens our eyes to seeing things a little differently. So glad we both have an author in common we love. Blessings!