Do you struggle to slow down?
Yesterday I was reading Jesus Calling as part of my worship time. Have you ever had words hit you right where it hurt? That happened to me.
This is what it said:
You tend to make mental checklists of things you need to do in order to gain control of your life. If only you could check everything off your list, you could relax and be at peace. But the more you work to accomplish that goal, the more things crop up on your list. The harder you try, the more frustrated you become.
There is a better way to find security in this life. Instead of scrutinizing your checklist, focus your attention on My presence with you. This continual contact with Me will keep you in My peace. Moreover, I will help you sort out with is important or not, what needs to be done now and what does not.
Sometimes it’s difficult for me to slow down and simply be still enough to soak in all that God desires to give for that day.
I’m immersed in what I need to be doing, what I haven’t done yet, what I’m doing at the moment. . . that somehow I lose sight of this one fact:
God is in control.
If I’m truly doing whatever task is in front of me with God’s desires on my heart (Colossians 3:23) then why am I so worried about how it will all turn out, or so afraid that if I’m not constantly in control of it all that it won’t fall into place.
What if I did the best I could for that day, and let tomorrow unfold according to God’s plan, and not mine?
What if I slipped that unending burden off my shoulders and rested in my Heavenly Father’s sovereignty instead?
Whether that is as a mom, in ministry, in day-to-day tasks, or even in the growth process we so desire?
What if we rested in God each day, soaking in His presence, and did the best we could and delighted in what God can do with that small loaf of bread (John 6:9-14)?
Today I sat down and pushed my to-do list to the side, and just as this devo spoke to me yesterday, I found what I needed.
Will you join me today and do the same?
Suzie, thank you for the inspirational words today. I am just learning to put aside my mental checklist. It is so hard. But i know my heart is hungry for God’s word and I have to make time to allow Him to fill me up. Thank you for reminding me to read my Jesus Calling today, it too is a new discovery! Have a great day!
You are so welcome, Kim. Love seeing you on here!
Thank you so much for your devotion today. It is exactly what I needed to hear myself! God Bless you!
Oh this was an ouch! But a good ouch! I am easily distracted with to do lists and what I need to be doing next. It is almost like I say to God ok here is how much time I have and my list. That is so unfair to God…so unfair. Thank you for speaking to my heart. Have a blessed day.
Wow! You hit the nail on the head for me! I have been dealing with nerve pain lately so I have to- do lists, so that when I’m feeling good I can get it done quick! lol
But I end up paying for that with more pain. I’m resolving today to go into His presence first, then venture from there! Thank you for this message!!! I needed it!!!
Thank you so much for these words! I REALLY needed this reminder. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God… Seems so simple, but such a challenge to be consistent. These thoughts bring Mary to mind, who chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and give her attention to the most important thing, while Martha rushed around, distracted no doubt by her mental checklists…how I can relate! Thanks again for the timely message.
May The Lord bless your day!
This reminded me so much of what I am made more and more aware of. God is constantly – at every second – aware of what I’m thinking; sees what I am doing; knows what I am planning. Yet as I go through my day I tend to forget that I am not ‘alone’ in my existence. Not ever. We tend to ‘turn’ to God when there is an issue and then we continue on through the day when He is there 24/7. If only I could learn to turn to Him like a flower turns toward the sun my life would have so much more peace.
Thank you for being a megaphone of God’s words. Being overwhelmed is where Satan wants me; being at peace as I walk with God is where I want to be. I am praying this morning that God show me what is important, today, tomorrow, and each moment I am blessed to walk this earth. All for Him, and to His glory.
Thank you so much!
I hear you on this one. I’m not a list maker, per se, but I do feel driven to accomplish certain things each day. As I read your words and others’ comments, it makes me wonder if it’s not so much about pushing the to-do list aside as it is about learning how to do it with Him? Like, instead of having a list of tasks, it’s more like: #1 Jesus and I make the kids breakfast, #2 Jesus and I drive them to school, #3 Jesus and I fold the laundry, #4 Jesus and I return phone calls…. Or maybe spending some time in prayer as the list gets drafted? Like a brainstorm-the-day-with-God meeting… (Can you tell I’m thinking about this stuff a lot for the book I’m working on right now?? Eating, sleeping and breathing strength in our weaknesses…. 🙂