Appreciating the Journey Together
First, I want to thank you for sticking with me on this journey, and I hope that I am serving you. That is the whole point after all. In that vein, a couple more people have answered the brief survey here. If you haven’t yet, I would love to hear from you. Please know that your responses are anonymous. This is good for your privacy and bad if your response needs to be put in context.
Finding Peace in a Busy World
Of course, for the few that answer, I suspect that there are many more that have the same concerns. Today, I want to talk about finding peace in a busy world. This is important even for those who don’t realize it. The question was asked by someone who knows they need a slower pace than they get. But others who don’t even realize that they need to slow down are usually plagued by a certain amount of anxiety.
Finding Peace in a Busy World by Rediscovering the Sabbath
We need to take a Sabbath. In Mark 2:27, Jesus tells the religious leaders that the Sabbath is for man, not man for the Sabbath. The point is not that we should just ignore the Sabbath, not at all. We still need to worship and rest. It’s a day that we set aside for focusing on God and relaxing. How many people know what that means?
Finding Peace in a Busy World by Aligning Days of Rest
Technically, the Sabbath should be on Saturday. So, most of society already is aligned with Sunday being the day for Sabbath, contrary to scripture. “But I work on Sunday…” When I was pastoring, we had services on Saturday and Sunday. Because I had to get up to an alarm clock and was obligated to be somewhere, that wasn’t much of a Sabbath by my thinking. So, Wednesday became my Sabbath day. And on whatever day the Sabbath lands, I do nothing until I feel like it. I may do work around the house, but only if I come to a point where I want to.
The Significance of Daily Personal Time
Then there is the subject of taking time each day for yourself. Different people need different amounts. In my counseling, I look at the person’s temperament, which is like personality, but it’s what was put into you during the development process in the womb. I recommend reading and really digging into Psalm 139. But today we’re just going to look at verse 13 as it’s relevant to God putting a temperament in us. Some temperaments need to take time for themselves daily, and rarely do. Others are more prone to do it but need it less. But we all need some quiet time.
Finding Peace in a Busy World by Prioritizing Self-Care Amidst Busyness
“I don’t have time to take time for myself!” Oh, I hear that so often. The truth is that although it may feel awkward and uncomfortable to take time for yourself, the truth is that when you recharge, you are a better spouse, parent, employee, you name it. I’m not recommending laziness, but deliberateness. Every morning I sit on my deck with a cup of coffee and my Bible. After I’ve done my reading, I look at the mountain across the way and thank God for allowing me to enjoy the view. Then maybe I’ll listen to the birds or watch the wind in the bushes and trees.
A Call to Embrace Stillness
I don’t care how you do it, but I strongly suggest you take time daily not only for devotions, but to just BE. The busy world will still be there when you come back. Let me know if that works for you. I’d be happy to help you work it out, informally or more formally through counseling.
