I woke up this morning feeling tired. I didn’t sleep well, and my head hurt as I opened my eyes. It’s Monday, and I have a list of tasks to deal with, and I’m still trying to decide how I will approach my day.
I’m very aware that we live in a world that clamours and demands our attention. It is noisy, ugly and beautiful and amazing all at the same time, and every day, I have choices to make as to what I will tune into. One click and swipe of my phone will enable me to see the news and social media feeds or tune into some music or the sermon series I have been listening to. One more often than not leaves me feeling rattled and anxious, the other uplifted and inspired.
Every day we get to choose, and this is where I’ve been learning the beauty of the pause, of taking sixty seconds to help me choose better, to be still, to let everything go and re-centre.
The pause is where you give everything and everyone to Jesus in a sixty-second break from the world. Where you refocus on those things that restore your soul and draw you closer to Jesus. (Philippians 4:8-9)
I’ve discovered without pauses, you can go continually from one thing to the next without a break. You finish one task whilst rushing to another. One phone call backed on to another; one email finished with still ten to go, all while moving to the next job or meeting. There is no quiet space, no breaks, no room for Jesus to gain a place in your schedule to whisper, He is there and loves you.
But a pause – simply for a minute gives time to breathe, relax, even sigh as you allow space to reset your heart and mind and to draw near to Jesus once again. The pause lets you make better choices (like my swipe to choose between the newsfeeds or a sermon first thing in the morning). It reminds you of what matters and provides regular space to give everyone and everything to Jesus and remember all He has done and promised.
Today, I encourage you to practice one-minute pauses in your day. Pick one or two moments for stillness and to find your heart again. To enjoy a moment of quiet and to appreciate the beauty around you just for a minute, as you choose to be still, cast your cares, let everything go and lean into Jesus.
As you practice pausing it will, over time, begin to reshape the pace and shape of your day, and better still, you will find Jesus waiting there in the pause for you.
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.’ (Isaiah 26:3)
“Instead I have calmed and quieted myself” (Psalm 131:2)
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Phillippians 4:8-9)
Prayer: Lord, I give you everything and everyone. I give all the concerns and demands of my life to you and trust you to lead and guide me. Would you restore my soul as I pause today. In Jesus name Amen.
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