The busy season..

I actually think every season is the busy season in our culture. However, this time of year tends to bring on even more busyness. It is in the air.. so much to do..so little time. As I caught myself rushing around the house this morning, I suddenly realized that I had no reason to be in a hurry. I have the whole day to accomplish the things on my list and even if I don’t..so what? Slow me down Lord.. help me to take my time..to realize that life is not meant to be a blur.

The reason I grapple with this is because so many years of my life were filled with constant activity of one kind or another. It became a way of life..survival.. move fast so I could get it all done before I collapse into bed at night. Things are different for me now and I want to keep them that way. I’m older and I have to move slower..my body can’t stand the faster pace.

There is an interesting thing that has happened in the midst of the slowing down, I feel like everyone around me is moving so fast.. how do I connect with them? They are busy and hurried and here I am with whole days that are just for me. Time to feel my own feelings..time to be still..time to rest..time to exercise..cook..read and write. Wow! I am blessed beyond measure. What an amazing gift God has given me.

I worked in Christian ministry for 30 years..it was wonderful and tiring. In this season my life is smaller and less demanding.. time to reflect and remember..time to give thanks for all He has given me. Every season is different and each has meaning for us if we embrace it.

As we continue to  move through the season of Advent..there is at least one thing we all need in every season..Hope. We never outgrow the need for this. It is our nature to anticipate and long for all that He has for us. If you are busy..I pray that you can slow down long enough to thank Him and ask Him to renew your hope.. He will do it.

“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”

 

 

God intends good for us..

Every day when I turn over my devotional book.. I see those words and my heart takes them in. Do we truly believe this statement? If we do..everything looks different. Suddenly the most difficult circumstance is not punishment..the challenging relationship is not because we are failing. Everything that happens will be used by Him to bring good into our lives. We may not see it at the time, but we can certainly choose to believe it.

It took many trials and years of difficulty for me to land here. I did not accept this in an instant..in fact I had many doubts until the last decade of my life. Was He punishing me? Had He forgotten me? What kind of God was He? My image of Him was distorted by the way I was raised and the things I heard from those who claimed to represent Him. My point is that God did not leave me there. He has used every single circumstance in my life to show me His character and His love for me. He has pursued me through every means possible.

He is doing that for you..right now..at this very moment. He is capturing your attention through something that is happening to you. He is revealing His character through the way He is taking care of you. He never grows weary of showing you His heart and longing for relationship with you. He is building a history for you to fall back on. If you look at your life, you will see the many ways He has rescued you..come for you..provided for you..sheltered you and saved you.

Take time today to rest in this..to allow it to sink into your heart. He loves you and He is pleased with you. He longs for you and He will do whatever it takes to bring you to Himself. Receive all of this from Him..He wants to bring healing and restoration to you..to enciricle you..to give you everything that you need. He intends good for you.

You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!” That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched arms protect you— under them you’re perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm. Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day, Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon. Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you. You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses. Yes, because God’s your refuge, the High God your very own home, Evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door. He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go. If you stumble, they’ll catch you; their job is to keep you from falling. You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

(psalm 91..the Message)