The world we live in has been described as a rat race. Things today seem to move so fast it seems we are always trying to catch up. We can lose sight of the very reason we are here. God has asked us to reflect His character to those around us. Have we lost sight of that? Maybe, it is a good time to remember we all need a time out. Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Did you ever find yourself wondering why you do what you do? Many times in life the thought crosses our mind concerning our motivation. Why do we do this? Why am I here? When we get to that point it is good to step back and take a look at things. Time to let things slow down and take a time out. Take a step out of your routine and look for a place to rest and collect your thoughts. Jesus is that place.

Jesus came to save the lost, that’s us. Save us from what you might ask, from us. We fill our lives with so much stuff that the stuff starts to win out. We develop a lifestyle that feeds off itself. We start finding ourselves needing to do this, this and this in order to maintain our lifestyle. It becomes overwhelming and we just keep on going trying to stay one-step ahead, for what? So we can live?

As I reflect on the mission trips to Haiti my wife and I have taken, it has given me a unique perspective on life and living. Nothing is as important as it seems at the time. Life can go on without the “things” we have. Even in the absence of running water and electricity an abundant life is possible. Living is not about the circumstances that surround us, it is about the condition of our heart and soul.

I am not sure many people would classify what they do as living. They may be surviving, but not living. We all have a vision of what living is and we are not there yet. Where are we trying to get to? What are we trying to attain? Take a time out, is our goal more stuff or are we trying to find that joy and peace God offers?

In his poem, The Station, Hastings talks about the vision, “when we get there”. Where? A new house, car, home, a new job, kids through school, promotion. We never get there. Our vision is never satisfied. He writes further to say it is not the destination, but the journey that we must focus on. That is why Jesus makes this offer in Matthew:

Matthew 11:28-29, nlt, Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.

Is our soul restless? Is our life upside down? Jesus provides for each one of us the security of a destination. If we accept Him we will be with him for eternity. Destination settled, now about the journey. Ask, Seek, Knock and God will reveal His plan for us and His plan for our lives.

Matthew 7:7-12; “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

When we take a time out and step back from the challenges of life and focus on Jesus we will see a different perspective on life. We see those around us who have needs. We see those who have sorrows. We start to understand the world doesn’t revolve around us. We do not have to win the race; our Savior has already won that race.

We can adjust our focus and look around us and participate in the journey. Along that road we now have the opportunity to reach out and help one another. We can show people the source of life, true living. We need to, as Jesus said, be humble and gentle. That can be hard to get our heads around.

The Scripture says in life we need perseverance and endurance. We need that to separate us from the pull of the things of this world and the attraction they have on us. We need to overcome the selfish desires of our heart and look to how we can support and encourage others on their journey.

Taking a time out to remember all that has been done for us is a good place to start. This will give us the opportunity to know what true living is all about. That peace and joy we receive will change our entire perspective. David writes in Psalm twenty-three;

Psalm 23 1-3, The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength.

Take a time out and seek the Lord. In Jesus we have everything we need; spend some time with Him, walk with Him and let Him renew our strength.

Blessings,

Pastor Don