Jump Start # 1183

Psalms 46:10 “Cease striving and know that I am God.”

Cease striving—other translations word this, “Be still.” A footnote in the New American Standard version says, “Let go, relax.” Interesting words. Be still. Relax.

Have you noticed that we are a hurried society? Everyone is always on the go. We drive fast. We talk fast. We eat fast. We rush through a day doing so much that we are worn out by the end of it. We live with technology that makes things easier on us, but we haven’t slowed down. There was a time when cooking and washing took the whole day. Not anymore. We can travel farther and easier than ever before. We can communicate faster and easier than ever before. But here we are, too busy, too much to do.

This fast pace affects us, both on the inside, the outside and the upside. It’s hard to build meaningful relationships without devoting time to it. Our hurried pace leaves our friendships shallow and superficial. There isn’t time for deep discussions. The result leaves many people feeling lonely. They are not alone, only lonely. Lonely in a crowd. Lonely in a church. Lonely in a family. We need people to talk to. We need a “fellowship” with our church family. It’s hard to confess our sins to one another when we barely know one another. We know we ought to stop by the hospital and visit one of our members, but we just can’t today. Maybe tomorrow. What happens is that we hear announced at church that they were released and are home now. We were going to go, but…

This fast pace leaves us empty when it comes to God. All relationships, including one with God, take commitment, time and effort. Busy people just can’t do that. They are too busy. So, something receives the short end. Much too often, it may be God. Our songs often remind us of this problem. “Take time to be holy…” Love to but I don’t have any extra time this week. “Sweet hour of prayer,” actually becomes a few squeezed sentences here and there. “Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray?” No, didn’t have time. Woke up, mind racing, so much that has to be done that it’s leap out of bed and hit the floor running. For some of us, the only time we open our Bible is during church. Just don’t have the time. Would like to…want to…but can’t find the time.

These words haunt many of us. We know that they are true. Be still and know that I am God. This hit me the other day. I was in a hurry, of course. Was driving down the road and looked into the mirror and noticed my hair was a mess. I got to the office and went into the bathroom and realized my hair wasn’t combed. I’d shaved, showered but was in such a hurry, I forgot to comb my hair. It dried looking like I just got out of bed. Then I realized, “Are you in such a hurry that you can’t comb your hair?” I simply forgot.

We recognize the problem, what’s the solution? The kids need to be picked up from school to go to practice, the dentist, there is shopping to be done, the yard needs mowing, the dog has to go to the vet, the car needs an oil change, winter’s coming and the house needs some things done, it won’t be long and it’s time to think about Christmas shopping, things are stacking up at work—how do we get off this roller coaster? Is there any hope before retirement? We just sigh and make it through another day, the best we can.

Here are a few suggestions. This is a starting point. Maybe these thoughts will get you thinking about more ways and better ways to connect to the things that are important.

• Before we start the list, take a deep breath and be thankful. You wouldn’t be so busy if you didn’t have the kids, the job, the house. You feel pulled in many directions, but what a blessing each of these are. God has given you talent, people, and blessings in your life. Through these, with these, is how you make your connections.

• Be efficient with your time. We are good at wasting time. Maybe less TV, less facebooking, less running errands back and forth will help. Put thoughts into what you are doing and where you are going. Instead of coming home and going back out, stop on the way home.

– Use time beneficially. While mowing the yard, doing laundry, waiting for kids, sitting in doctor’s offices, sitting in traffic—pray. Make those prayer moments. These “down times” can help you connect with the Lord.

– Keep a Bible with you—either print version or electric. Down times can be reading times. Have a plan of what you want to read each month. Tackle books you haven’t read in a long time. Chase some thoughts that you have questions about. Airport waiting can be a great time to grow spiritually.

– while driving, please do this carefully, call people. This is a time that you can strengthen your fellowship. Call the new family…call someone who has been sick…call a friend. Use the time to build and strengthen relationships.

• Do things with others in the church. Go out to eat with another family. This will build bonds. Travel together. Shop together. Go to a meeting together. Take walks together. Time together builds those relationships.

• Find an solution to the things that eat up your time. Being disorganized kills time. Put things in it’s place. How many mornings start with a search party looking for car keys, shoes, back packs, wallets, cell phones? Time is ticking. We get hurried. Now, we can’t find things, we get stressed. The day can be ruined even before it begins. I am an organized freak. I think there are words and letters for all that, but my day ends with everything where it is supposed to be. The day begins by knowing right where everything is. Being organized—in your house, office– car– garage– heart, will make things run smoothly.

Did you notice the moon last night? What a beautiful picture God sent. Noticing things, people, events—are part of connecting with others. We remember the anniversaries of births, marriages, deaths—sharing those with others builds lives together.

Relax…be still…cease striving and know that I am God. Simple words. They do not just happen because we read them. We must take ownership and control of our schedules. We must put in place the most important things. Life flies by. Now is the time to be building the bridges with others and especially with our Lord.

Work at it. These things will make a difference in your life.

Roger