If you remember last month’s article, you were encouraged to pause before reading it. We talked about how we rush, stay up too late, and have to get up far too early. It draws us into a vicious cycle. But let's talk more about this problem we have with rushing.  

Pause. Yes, pause. But don't only pause now. Can you agree that we need to pause more often? Actually, we need to learn stillness.  

Ah, therein lies the problem. We, as Americans, have forgotten how to be still. When I was a young man, life got busy, and then life got too busy – far too busy. Run here. Run there. Do this and do that. We rushed around raising our kids, having fun, and working, but when my kids got married, I encouraged them to accomplish something I had failed at: slowing down. But they’re far busier than I ever was. The question is, "What's wrong with us?”

Blame it on our culture. Blame it on our desire to stay busy. Blame it on work and raising our families. But don't we have labor-saving appliances and devises that give us more time? Sadly, we fill that time with "things" that are not important: TV, entertainment, social media, gossip, sports, and much, much more. Sure, to an extent, television and entertainment are enjoyment. We can find great relaxation in media, but we often take it to the extreme. Instead of us consuming it, media consumes us.

But we also get busy with activities. Why do we have such huge lawns? Why do we need so many toys that require us to work such long hours? Why do we spend so much money on things we don't need? Not all activities are harmful, and not all of the things we buy are bad, but here again, it’s the idea of them consuming us rather than us consuming them.  

Let's not forget our kids' and grandkids' activities. Why do they need to be in a sport each season? Every school and community activity? Why are we killing ourselves for so many of their activities? Whatever happened to family time? We’re putting too much focus on activities outside the home and staying far too busy. Haven’t you thought about slowing down a bit? Sure you have.  

Moms, don't you agree that you need some rest? You're killing yourselves, and you know it. Dads, how about you? It's the same as with the moms. Jesus didn’t display the American life. Sure, Jesus was busy. He was as hardworking as any American. He was likely as busy or busier than you, but Jesus knew that He needed a time of rest – and He took it. Sometimes He slept when others were working, sometimes spending quiet time with His disciples, and lots of solitary time with His Father. 

Let's try a godly experiment. Pause. Quiet yourself and be still. Now, slowly and calmly read the following Psalm. Don't rush it. Feel the flow. Soak it in. Feel God's presence.

¹ God is our refuge and strength,

     an ever-present help in trouble.

² Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

     and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

³ though its waters roar and foam

     and the mountains quake with their surging.

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,

     the holy place where the Most High dwells.

⁵ God is within her, she will not fall;

     God will help her at break of day.

⁶ Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;

     he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

⁷ The Lord Almighty is with us;

     the God of Jacob is our fortress.

⁸ Come and see what the Lord has done,

     the desolations he has brought on the earth.

⁹ He makes wars cease

     to the ends of the earth.

He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;

     he burns the shields with fire.

¹⁰ He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;

     I will be exalted among the nations,

     I will be exalted in the earth.”

¹¹ The Lord Almighty is with us;

the God of Jacob is our fortress.

Let’s all learn to slow down. Rest. Be still. You mom (and dads) deserve and need some rest. 

Happy Mother’s Day

Love you!!!

Kenny