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by C. J. Peterson

Do me a favor and look around. Are you working? Is everything getting done on time at work? Do you still have a stack full of work to do? How long is the list? When you go home, is all the laundry finished and put away? Are the dishes done? When was the last time the bathroom and kitchen were cleaned? Are the bedrooms swept and the beds made? What about church? Are you ready to go? Do you have everything you’ll need? Is your mind in the proper place to go sit at the feet of God to listen what He has for you to learn on that day? What about devotions? Are you taking the time to be with Him each day? Are you focused on Him while you are doing your devotions or is your phone going off?

Over the last century, our society has taken massive leaps and bounds forward in technology. Is that progress, or is it a hindrance? Now, bear with me a minute here. I know medically, electronically, and by just about every other definition, it’s progress. However, it almost creates a perfect storm of distraction. What do I mean by that? If we are kept too busy, at what point to we focus on God? When we do, is it quiet? Is the radio on? Is the television on? Is our phone going off?

When was the last time you just “were”? When was the last time you sat quietly, soaking in everything the Lord has created…with nothing else on your mind?

Pretend for a moment that you close your eyes. What do you see? Nothing. What do you hear? There’s the air conditioner, the clock…wait, what is that? You hear the wind chimes tingling. They have been all day, you’ve just been to busy to hear them. You hear the birds taking a bath in the birdbath, or chasing each other around in your yard. Again, they have been doing that all day too. They’re actually to the point of settling as it reaches the hottest part of the day.

You walk outside and close your eyes again. What else do you hear? The leaves are rustling. The squirrels are tree hopping, stealing from each other, and bickering at each other. You hear something else, and look over to see a deer and her baby walking in the woods next to your house. You turn the other way, and see one drinking from the birdbath. You suddenly notice the colorful flowers, with their pops of color standing out in the fresh cut lawn. You also see the vegetables growing in your garden. The trees have already started to shift into autumn.

Nature is moving without you even paying attention! What all have you missed, because you were too busy?

Seriously, slow down. Enjoy the peace and quiet. Soak in the Lord and His works. Sit with Jesus, and let Him calm the storm around you. The more you do this, the better you will feel. Don’t let the rushing around take over, so your life is being lived almost on autopilot. We are told to live to the fullest. John 10:10 reminds us that, “The thief cometh not but to steal and to kill and to destroy. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Slow down and live life more abundantly! Taking time to do nothing, often brings life into perspective.

Take the time. Your friends, your family, and youwill thank yourself for it!