In keeping with our Lifesprings International annual tradition, all of our leaders and members will be celebrating a month of sabbath rest from all regularly scheduled meetings, we call “Breather Month” during August. We invite all of our readers to join us in setting aside intentionally planned times of rest, restoration, and renewal, with God during August. Our reflection for this week will be centered on the theme of encouraging rest from multitasking to being singularly focused.
Listen:
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10 NIV)
Reflect:
I’m a master at multi-tasking. I suspect pretty much everyone reading this could say the same. The concept is that one can split their attention over more than one task or activity at the same time. I asked friends on Facebook how they multi-tasked, and the winner is the lovely Sally: “Cooking dinner, unpacking groceries and feeding the dogs whilst FaceTiming my daughter and keeping an eye on my granddaughter!” Don’t you relish how competent multi-tasking makes you feel?
Although we do need to be able to quickly switch from one thing to another, the downside is that it can all get a bit hectic and there’s no time to THINK. Sometimes – and by that I mean more often than we suppose – we simply need to hush for a moment; to be still and reflect on something other than what we’re accomplishing or what else needs to get done.
Stillness is powerful. It gives us time and space to reflect and actually hear our thoughts. In a world where so much vies for our attention, let’s develop the spiritual discipline of quietening ourselves in order to spend time thinking about God alone. August is Lifesprings’ “Breather Month”, where we still our hearts, thoughts, plans and actions. Embrace God’s challenge to stop. To be still. To ask Him, “What do You want me to know about You?” “Be still. Be still and know. Be still and know that I am. Be still and know that I am God.”
May the Holy Spirit guide you as you navigate your life – multi-tasking balanced with stillness – with a sharpened focus on God.
Prayer of Response:
Heavenly Father, in a world filled with distractions, help me to maintain an unwavering focus on You and Your Word. Please give me clarity of mind to fix my thoughts on things that are true, honorable, and aligned with Your will. May my focus lead me closer to You, bringing peace and purpose to my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Questions to Ponder:
According to Exodus 34:6-7, What does God want us to know about Him? How does He describe Himself? What does He say He will do? “And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” (Ex 34:6-7a, NIV)
—Submitted by: Audrey Jose
Audrey has served with Lifesprings from the very start, and is the Team Leader for Lifesprings’ conflict training. She and her husband are involved in church planting and offer coaching, expertise and opportunities worldwide for mission and church partnerships through Radstock Ministries (www.radstock.org).