And He (Jesus) said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.”  – Mark 6:31 (NKJ)

My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. – Psalms 62:1 (NIV).

Rest. . .quiet. . .silence. . .away. . .salvation. These words are rarely used in today’s hustle and bustle world.  As a matter of fact it’s quite the opposite.  We load ourselves down with stuff to do only to complain that we have to no time – time to rest, time for family, time for fun, or time to spend with God.  We even hurry to wait.  Our lives overflow with rush.  It’s difficult for us to fathom slowing down. . . to have moments of quiet. . .of stillness.  We always seem to have another meeting to attend, another game to go to, another appointment to fulfill.  I could go on, but I don’t have to, you know what I’m talking about.

I think it’s difficult for me because when I am still for a moment I feel guilty.  The thought usually occurs to me, “shouldn’t I be doing something?”  Why do I feel like that?  Is it because I’ve bought into and adopted the art of hurry?  Is it due to the fact that for some strange reason, as a man, I have come to believe that if I’m not hurried I’m not being productive?  Is it because I’m so wound up I don’t think I can relax?  Is being busy the same as hurried?  I wonder.

Ortberg states that business and hurriedness are not the same.  He points to Jesus who was often busy, but never hurried.  As I think back on Jesus’ ministry he never ran anywhere, and yet He was never late to anything.  He took time to be with people.  He partied with folks.  He hung out with the apostles.  He enjoyed life!  He was busy healing, teaching, and helping, but He never was rushed.

Why is this so critical to our lives?  Men, it’s important because we become so hurried and rushed in our everyday lives that we become distracted.  We stop making time to sit with God.  When we do we want the “fast food” version of it, “Just give me what I need so I can get on with life.”  That’s not what God had in mind.  Even Jesus recognized the need to get away to a deserted place for times of refreshing and victory and redemption and hanging with the Father.

Men, I want to encourage you to look at your schedules.  Are they filled with stuff?  Is there a place or time on your calendar where you and God just get away in silence, away from the demands of life, the appointments, and the projects so you can find rest in Him?  If not, make time.  Ask God to show you where and how to make time.  Schedule a morning or an evening after the kids have gone to bed to read God’s Word and to listen for that small still voice.  Invite Him to restore and refresh you.  Take your worries and cares of the day to Him so He can help you and take that load off of you.

To make this happen takes boldness.  Do you have the boldness to say no to hurry and yes to God?

Need some rest, silence, peace, and quiet?  Only you can make that happen.

Needing to slow down myself,

Mike

• Joy is my responsibility (emphasis is mine).
• People who want to pursue joy need to practice the disciplines of celebration.
• Spiritual celebration means doing activities – activities that bring pleasure like gather with friends, singing and dancing, eating and drinking – while reflecting on the wonderful God who has give us such wonderful gifts.
• When we celebrate, we exercise our ability to see and feel goodness in the simplest gifts of God.
• The first step for pursuing join is simply to begin now. This day!!
• We all live with the illusion that joy will come someday when conditions change – graduate from school, find a mate, get a new job, have children, etc.
• “This is God’s day,” the psalmist says. It is the day God made, a day that Christ’s death has redeemed.
• If we are going to know joy, it must be in this day–today.
• If we don’t rejoice today, we will not rejoice at all.
• This is the day that the Lord has made.
• This is the Dee Dah Day! (That’s John’s version of the kitchen dance)

So guys have you rejoiced today? To be honest, I was struggling to find joy today. I woke up overwhelmed by financial concerns I am experiencing – truck’s in the shop, paying for a wedding, paying bills, etc. You know what I mean. Then I remembered that my heavenly Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Ps 50:10) and His timing is perfect. So why am I so worried? I’m a guy, go figure.

With that I opened my journal and began sharing my heart with God. Then I cranked up some Shane & Shane to spend some time in worship. And guess what? I will most definitely break out in song some time this morning. I know some of you are glad you’re not here to experience my version of “singing”, but I don’t even care. HAH!!

All I know is that Satan’s job is to steal my joy. And I’ve let him have at it for too long, now. I mean, he didn’t even have to sneak around, I just gave it to him. Not today little man. You do not get my joy! It’s reserved for the one who gave His life for mine and you didn’t. . .haven’t. . .and won’t. Later dude.

C’mon guys, lets sing unto the Lord a new song (Ps 96; 98). He didn’t say sing on key or read like a pro. The psalmist simply said that we should sing – rejoice!! Join in the chorus of hearts expressing shear delight in God’s love for us. Make something up. Who cares? I do it all the time when I run. OK. . .co-workers may wonder about you and look at you a little strange, but it’s not about them anyway. Right?

I will guarantee you this. You earnestly sing to the Lord today and your outlook on this entire day will change. If it doesn’t email me, well talk about it. If it does change, let us know. What did you do – sing, read Scripture out loud, a time of confession, a kitchen dance? How did you feel afterwards? Me? I’m feeling the change taking place. My heart is getting a little lighter. The muscles in my face are beginning to relax. The smile I love to wear is beginning to come back. That’s me.

What about you?

Mike