Time To Slow Down

 Good Morning Friends!

Image- mine

    I hope everyone has had a good week! Mine has been super busy and while I like being busy, I am learning there needs to be a balance between being busy and resting. I don't know about you, but I have learned to notice when my body needs to rest. Usually when I am tired, I am not really motivated, I am frustrated, my body is sore, and all I want to do is lay down and rest. Also I want to find a quiet place and read my Bible because I know I need to spend time with the Lord during those weak moments. So, today, we are going to discuss slowing down and why it's important, but before we jump in, I hope you have your cup of coffee or tea with you. Let's begin!

So, the Lord led me to a famous passage of scripture in the book of Luke that emphasizes the importance of slowing down. In Luke chapter 10 verses 38-42, Jesus and His disciples are traveling and they comes into a village and there was a lady named Martha and she had a sister named Mary. Martha welcomed them into her home. Now Martha was of course being Mrs. Hostess and making sure that everything is in it's proper place and she is busy making a delightful dinner and setting the table, etc. While she is busy being Mrs. Hostess, her sister is in the other room sitting at Jesus' feet listening to every word that comes out of His mouth. She is being ministered by Jesus and she has forgotten all about her sister in the kitchen. Apparently, Martha must have gotten overwhelmed by all the preparations and she asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her.

     Jesus looks at Martha and says, "Martha, you are worried and consummed by so many tasks, but one thing is necessary. Mary has made the right choice and it will not be taken away from her." Oh can you imagine the look on Martha's face when Jesus said these words? I know many of you have heard this passage of scripture over and over again, but this is such a vital passage. If we are not careful, we can get caught up in many tasks and forget the one thing that is necessary just like Martha. I know we have obligations, jobs, families, etc, but we can load up our plate with so many things that we are not balanced. In the beginning, when God created the earth, He worked for six days and rested on the Sabbath day. 

Why did God do this? To show us that we need to rest from our jobs, our obligations, our to do lists, and constant running around doing this and that. We need to rest, rest is such an important thing. The other day, I was trying to eat my lunch, but I had this person asking my to do this and I had to go to this person to find out this and that and I didn't enjoy my lunch. I have never been an advocate for eating meals on the run. I like to sit down and enjoy eating my meals otherwise I will indigestion and a stomach ache because I wasn't paying attention to my food. God wants us to enjoy life while we are on this earth this is why He gave us food to eat, people to connect with, a daily job whether it be at the workplace or in the home, and most importantly time to connect with our Creator the Lord. 

   So, how can we slow down? Well first we can mark out a daily time to come before the Lord and sit at His feet and read His word and pray. On my days off, I try to spend more time with Him because I am not working. I can take time to slow down and be with Him. Second, we can slow down and enjoy our food, thank God for good and delicous food. Third, we can enjoy our relationships with our families, spouses, and friends. So, friends, let's take the time to slow down this weekend and upcoming week to enjoy the life God has given us. He loves us so very much and He doesn't want us running around stressed and worried about all the things that needs to be done. What is necessary is sitting at His feet like Mary and slowing down to listen to His voice every day. May the Lord bless you and keep you. Shalom, until next time!