Come to Me
Can you believe it’s officially summer?! (Ok, yes, I know it’s been like 100 degrees for what feels like months!)
I am so grateful for the summer gatherings, community connections, and the longer days! But if you’re like me, as the days get longer, I seem to pile in more plans and “to-dos.”
I want to encourage you (and myself) to S-L-O-W D-O-W-N this summer season. Weird, right? We live in a world that constantly tells us to “do more” and that the measure of our success is reflected in how busy we are.
You may already have your defenses formulating; sounding something like, “yeah sounds great, but Stephanie, you don’t know my life.” To that I would say you’re right, I don’t. I do know, however, that you probably carry both seemingly small and (at times) serious and heavy burdens. I also know that God’s Word says this…
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
(Matthew 11:28-30)
I once heard this, “if you can’t hear God, you’re moving too fast.” It changed my world. I truly believe God speaks to us more often than we are sometimes willing to listen. As one who used to busy myself with one thing after another, I realized that I was missing out on the joy of connection and partnership with the One who created and chose me.
The demands of this world are high and the requirements needed to be in the presence of a perfect and holy God can never be attained in and of ourselves.
Jesus invites us into a deep and intimate connection with Him. That makes my head spin most days! At the same time, this truth graciously draws me deeper into wanting to know more about who God is.
So here is my challenge to you:
In honor of this wonderful invitation from scripture, let’s take a moment to pause. No, seriously, I encourage you to stop what you’re doing (I promise you, the world won’t stop) and slow down enough to hear what God is speaking to you.
Start by taking a breath. Thank Him for being a strong and safe place to cast your burdens upon. Thank Him for being a good teacher that leads us in the paths of righteousness.
Ask God to show you something beautiful about His character or creation. Whatever comes to your heart and mind, just spend some time in His presence and dwell with Him awhile.
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Lastly, let us be wise in the way we walk, not entangling ourselves in the trap that tells us that our productivity is a measure of our worth. Our worth can only come from the One, who in Himself, created, chose, called and changed us in Christ Jesus.