Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Chillax (04/03/14)
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TITLE: Slow Down | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dee Kyalo
04/09/14 -
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ADD TO MY FAVORITES
The alarm went off at five o’clock and so with an early start, I picked up from where I left off at 1 a.m., updating the company’s operating manual. I knew I hadn’t had enough rest for a while and felt like I was drowning in a sea of demands and needs but this had to be done. I was beginning to fret and stew; I felt like I just couldn’t keep up with everything but auditors were coming and everything had to be perfect.
I sat at my desk typing away while thinking of all I was not getting done. Then, that’s when I heard someone say, “You’re too busy nowadays.”
Turning to look over my shoulder, I saw no one else in the study. I could’ve sworn I had heard Kyle’s voice.
Much as I tried, I couldn’t focus. Coffee will do the trick, I reasoned. Moments later with a steaming cup of coffee by my side, I buried myself in my work.
“Let go of your concerns!” I heard.
“What?” I asked swiveling in the chair but Kyle wasn’t there.
So I saved my work and decided to find out if my husband was playing tricks on me. This was weird. Peeping into the bedroom, I saw the man sound asleep – snoring as usual. I couldn’t help laughing at myself. Could this be a symptom of fatigue?
With a long day ahead of me, I needed to focus and quickly assumed that this was a distraction. My promotion depended on how well the upcoming audit faired along and nothing was going to interfere with my climbing to the top.
As I continued in my motion, an hour later, I heard it again. “Come with me by yourself to a quiet place and get some rest.”
Do you sometimes feel snowed under by all you need to do and the pressure to do it well? You look at your prayer list and realize that there are some people you haven’t prayed for as you think you should have or the sticky notes on refrigerator reminding you about several phone calls that you haven’t returned or made, the books you haven’t read, and oh, those house chores! You keep going but seem to not accomplish as much. Well, this is not unique; it happens to many of us. We only need exercise caution so that we are not submerged.
Being on the brink of being stifled, I actually thought I was hearing voices but it suddenly dawned on me that I had slipped into worry and anxiety, taking matters into my own hands and acting as if I was in charge of my destiny and future. I was on the performance treadmill such that I had become oblivious of the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes we get too busy doing things and pursuing goals that we deem necessary and important to us hence end up under undue stress. That early morning, I rediscovered that the Lord was speaking and I had to chill out in order to hear Him clearly. I had not taken the time to relax and meditate upon the Word for a long time. In our failure to chillax we do not even have a chance to eat – not just the physical nourishment but spiritual food as well; and such are the times when we need that external force to slow us down.
Jesus calls us out from our discontentment and exasperation to find healing and joy in his presence. He calls us to slow down saying, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”(Matthew 11:28-30 NIV). He sees us in our busyness and is fully aware of everything that is happening with us. Like Martha, He calls us by name. He is willing to guide, lead and instruct us into His rest but are we going to trust and obey?
Additional scriptures: Luke 10:38-42 NIV, Mark 6:31 NIV, Psalm 46:10 NIV, Psalm 127:1-2 NIV, 1 Peter 5:7 NIV, Psalm 75:6 KJV
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A timely reminder to always make time for GOD and sit with Him and drink in His presence and His love.
God bless~
Thanks for sharing.