Welcome back. I truly hope that
these past two weeks you tried to live more in the present moment.
I hope you tried to enjoy your life more and find the good in the
phase of life you might find yourself in at the moment. The most
amazing thing I found from living in the present moment is the
incredible peace that came over me, because if you live in the
present, you don't need to worry about the future. After all Jesus
said:
Matthew 6:34 "So don't worry
about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries."
We can plan, we can dream, we can
save, but we shouldn't worry. The Lord will provide. He is in
control.
Now this week I would like to focus
our attention on trying to live a more simplistic life. Now I am
not saying that we should all return to the dark ages and live
lives like monks, but we need to try and simplify our lives. Our
lives are so rushed, so busy, our schedules are packed to full
capacity, that actually we cannot cope with it all. It becomes too
much. We need to try and find a midway. We need to try and release
ourselves from some of the commitments we feel we should honor. Our
bodies were not designed for the type of stress we are putting
ourselves under. We need to learn to say no to certain things.
I know we all want to be in the
thick of things. We are so scared that we would lose out if we
don't attend all the events. And yes I am even talking about church
events. You cannot be everywhere all the time and you cannot be
everything to everybody. That is Jesus and the Holy Spirit's job.
He is the only One that can truly be everything that everyone
needs. Your body needs to recuperate and it needs time alone with
its Maker. Your spirit is one with Jesus' Spirit, and the more time
you spend with Him and according to His Kingdom principles, the
more life and energy will flow into your mortal body. But if you do
not make time for Him because you are too busy, your body will not
be able to cope.
I was like that at one stage. I
just started working, and every single night after work I attended
some or other social/church event. I was running around, I never
said no to any invitation and I never stopped for a breather. I was
everywhere and I tried to be everything for everyone. I felt
popular and that I am making headway socially. Due to my hectic
schedule my voice started to give me trouble because I talked way
too much (I know it sounds funny, but later on it was a real
problem). It hurt every time I opened my mouth, but did I stop my
social calendar? No, I hated not being in the thick of things. I
was so sure I will miss something. My parents even advised me to
slow down as they realized that it was not good for me to go on
like this, but I wouldn't listen. And do you know what forced me to
stop? I tore my ankle ligaments at a sporting event of the company
that I was working for. I had to wear a plaster and walk with
crutches for 6 weeks and above all I couldn't drive. I was stuck. I
was brought to a standstill. I couldn't go anywhere and I couldn't
attend all my social engagements. I was devastated. How was I to
cope with no schedule, nowhere to go? How was I going to get
through this? What is going to happen if I am not everything to
everyone? And do you know what happened? Nothing. Most of the
'friends' I spent so much time with called once and didn't bother
to call again. They went on with their lives and got someone else
to be everything to them. They had a social schedule to attend
to.
You see we are not built to go full
steam ahead all of the time. We need time to recuperate and allow
the Lord to work in our lives. We need time alone with Him to hear
His Voice and listen to His Plans for our lives and not simply rush
forward. I wonder sometimes what would have happened if I wasn't
brought to a standstill? I would most probably have continued that
way and I would have missed the special time I had alone with Him.
I would have missed His gentle voice telling me of His Plans for
me. I would have missed His supernatural guidance in my life. I
would have missed Him. And that would have been a tragedy!
The time I was brought to a
standstill was one of the best times in my life. I had peace, I
didn't feel rushed and I felt physically good (except for my ankle
of course, but it healed in due time.)
Focus on what is important in life.
Give yourself a rest and look upwards. The Lord will give you the
strength to continue and the grace to know His full plans for your
life. Allow His Spirit to rush through your soul and to provide you
with much needed life. And life in abundance! Go on and try it, it
is truly liberating
Please forgive us for valuing human
opinions more than we value Yours. Please help us to follow Your
gentle Voice and to listen to You. Give us the rest we need and
help us to stand still once in a while. We love you. In Jesus name.
Amen