Slow Down
Taken on a slow walk after a typical Oregon rain.
I should have seen it coming. All within a couple of hours, my gas gauge had been approaching the E. My phone flashed Low Battery a couple of times. My computer “unexpectedly” died while I was drafting an email. There was very little to nothing left in any of them. My life of devices were simultaneously on empty and I wasn’t even stopping long enough to really notice or care.
You see, I had places to go, so I just kept driving. I had people to communicate with so I kept on texting and talking. There was computer work to be done so I just kept clicking the keyboard. And all the while I was ignoring the warning signs.
So, I limped my way to the gas station for fuel. I found a charge station for my phone and plugged my computer in for a re-fill. In order to keep going, I had to slow down. I had to stop. I had to take the time to pull off to the side of the road to re-fuel. I had to close some things down, walk away for awhile and give time for a re-charge.
Here’s the jarring reality: Life can very rapidly push us to empty. The warning signs like isolation, disconnection, lack of boundaries and defensiveness can sneak in when we aren’t paying attention. Our healthy rhythms go out the door. Or, we realize we don’t even have any to begin with. We wonder why we feel like we are barely surviving. We wonder why we feel exhausted, distracted and even angry.
But here’s the Good News: Jesus is the source of lasting sustainability and renewal in our lives and He continually invites us to experience restoration in Him.
Jesus offers us a beautiful invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Do you need to pull over for a few minutes today and give your warning signs some attention? Get recharged with a grace filled word from God, take a deep breath and rest in the powerful presence of God!
How do you know when your soul is running on empty?
How might God be inviting you to slow down, pay attention and rest?