“Time Out!”

“Stand…still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.” 1Sa 9:27

Here’s an ancient Scripture with a modern message: “As they were going down to…the city, Samuel said to Saul…‘stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of God.’” Today we are told that in order to succeed we must hit the floor running at a hundred miles an hour, and keep it up until we collapse in the sack at night. And what’s the downside to all this? Our walk with the Lord slows to a crawl, or stops altogether. Our busyness leads to spiritual barrenness. Being part of the chase can be exciting and rewarding, but it leaves little or no time for God. And you don’t have to be in business. Look at mothers with small children: every minute consumed by little creatures who pull at you, color on your walls and track mud on your floor, then have the nerve to wake you up in the middle of the night. If that’s happening to you, you need to say, “Time out! I refuse to put my spiritual life on autopilot, mouthing meaningless prayers and leafing through a Bible I neither study nor live by. I’m going to pay whatever price it takes to walk with God.” Doing that will be neither easy nor simple. You’ll have to start saying no to certain things, and run the risk of displeasing people. But it’s the only way you’ll be at peace with God and be in a position to hear what He’s saying to you.

Nobody ever said the Christian walk is easy, but is anything in the world of more lasting importance? Or more rewarding?

January 25, 2013 | Daily Devotions    Permalink