Pastor Sam Crosby First Baptist Church, San Saba
The grandkids took turns driving the golf cart. The older ones had driven before and made me a little nervous. The younger ones had not driven much and made me really nervous. They had great fun telling each other what to do, where to go and how to drive. I hung on for each ride, thoroughly enjoying our time together but keeping my foot close to the brake. Thankfully, I mean, finally, the batteries ran down.
Everyone wanted to help charge the batteries. Questions swirled about how long it would take and could we drive some more in a little bit. Batteries are great when they are charged but not so good dead. Batteries, like so many other things, need time to rest and be renewed. Time creeps by when you are waiting for the batteries to charge.
God designed us to rest. You need down time. The Sabbath day was given to man as a gift from God. Though it is included in the Ten Commandments, it is really a blessing from our Creator. In fact, all of the Commandments are. God created us and knows how we function best. Our lives are the most blessed when we follow His commands.
Your soul, too, needs periods of renewal. David celebrated in Psalm 23 that the Lord restores his soul. The imagery of that text is a cast sheep, which has fallen on his back and cannot get up. He is vulnerable to predators and dehydration. If not found, he will die. The good shepherd finds the lost sheep and rescues his life.
God sometimes slows down our lives on purpose. Busyness, it seems, is the death of prayer and worship. The Lord says, “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Take a breath. Slow the heart. Simplify the schedule. Take some time to let the Lord restore your soul.
Jesus often withdrew from the crowds to be alone with the Father. He spent 40 days alone in the wilderness to pray and fast. The scripture says that He often went to the garden to pray. Luke records, “He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed,… When He came to the place, He said to them, ‘Pray…” (Luke 22:39-40).
Our current pandemic has certainly disrupted schedules and slowed down life for many. I have seen a number of pictures of families who have been fishing. It makes me smile and wonder whether God’s intention in it all was to simply calm the hurriedness and reprioritize activities. Being busy doesn’t necessarily mean progress. Hamsters, I am told, can run 15 miles a day on their wheel in their cage. Sadly, when they are finished, they haven’t gone anywhere and are still caged.
Maybe the Lord is leading you beside still waters. Maybe He is leading you to lie down in green pastures. Maybe the great Shepherd of the sheep is recharging your soul in a chapter of quietness. Use this time to draw near to Him.