Rest.

I have always been the type of girl to stop and smell the roses.

Don't get me wrong, I am also the highly ambitious, go-getter type.  But I do have a tendency to stop and breathe in my surroundings once in a while.  Sadly, I feel that our world is becoming so overly focused on being fast and effective all the time.  If you snooze, you lose.  If you take time to relax, you're lazy.  Time is money.  Everything is so hurry  hurry hurry!!!

Although there is definitely a time and a place for being completely time efficient, such as during the work day, I don't feel that being "fast" at other aspects of everyday life is necessarily a gift or a skill.  In fact, I'm quite convinced of the opposite.  It takes more obedience and discipline to rest in God's presence on a frequent basis than it does to spend extra time working around the house, completing tedious chores.  I think back to the story of Mary and Martha.  All our Lord wanted was for them both to have special time with Him. 

My  Jesus Calling  passage (by Sarah Young), from a couple days ago provided the  perfect  encouragement in this area for me.

the passage :

Sit quietly in My Presence while I bless you.  Make your mind like a still pool of water, ready to receive whatever thoughts I drop into it.  Rest in My sufficiency, as you consider the challenges this day presents.  Do not wear yourself out by worrying about whether you can cope with the pressures.  Keep looking to Me and communicating with Me, as we walk through this day together.

Take time to rest by the wayside, for I am not in a hurry.  A leisurely pace accomplishes more than hurried striving.  When you rush, you forget who you are and Whose you are.  Remember that you are royalty in My kingdom.

the verses :

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;  do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes." - Psalm 37:7

"The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." - Romans 8:16-17

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." 

- 1 Peter 2:9

Recently, I have been so focused on trying to accomplish things as rapidly as possible that I have forgotten the importance of taking time to enjoy the beauty of God's creation.  I haven't allowed nearly enough time for devotionals, Bible studies, and giving the Lord glory for all of His blessings in my life.  When my work is completed for the day, I intend to go back to just being and resting in my God.

The images below represent my idea of resting quietly in His presence:

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What are your thoughts, friends? Happy Monday to you!!