A Hyper World
Our connected world is a demanding world. We are constantly told how much easier our lives will be with all these new devices which free us up for other things. Also, these devices affect our stress levels. The more we depend on internet technology by being connected, then the more isolated we become when we are disconnected. Frustration sets in when we realize that everything is not at our fingertips. Our world has become hyper and needs to chill a little [Psalm 46:10].
Yet how do we detach ourselves from this hyper dilemma in which we find ourselves? Often, we find ourselves in a position of having to just take time for meditation and reflection with Jesus. Our little red wagon is daily filled to overflowing with things to do. Expectations at work, expectations at home all crowd our day, choking out any quiet time with Jesus. We find ourselves stealing a few moments here, and a couple of minutes there throughout the day, sacrificing our quality of time with Jesus for quick moments during our day.'
At other times there just is not enough time in the day. The unexpected happens and we find our day hectically sprinting out of control. Life is a blur and before we know it we find ourselves in the evening preparing for bed. This lifestyle quickly becomes a pattern of dizzy busyness. We reach a point that when the Holy Spirit convicts us of our need to rest in His presence, our response is ‘I don’t have the time.’ Still, the Spirit of Jesus will not relinquish us to ourselves, and we must clear our daily calendar and make time for Him. Sleep, vegging out time, entertainment, sporting events are just some of the things we might have to set aside for quality time with Jesus.
If we fail to take the time to spend with Jesus or choose not to make the time for Jesus, then we will find ourselves faking a time with Jesus. We will find ourselves quickly rushing through a devotion, sermon, or song and offer it up to Jesus as our personal devotion. The question then arises as to the focus of our devotion. Is it Jesus we are seeking, or is it a desire for one more notch in our Christian discipleship belt?
There is nothing quite like quality time with Jesus to restore our mind, to refresh our soul, to revive our spirit. Last week I spent a few hours at my prayer spot along the Brunswick River. It was a nice warm day, and the river was slowly meandering south toward the ocean. There was no noticeable breeze, and everything was still. I began to take notice of the plants and trees. They were all standing still. They remain in that one spot on hot days and cold, wet days and dry, stormy days and calm. They do not pull up roots and move around seeking a better place to stand. They don’t frantically run all over the place looking for a place where their needs can be met. No, they stand patiently waiting on sunrise, looking for the sun. They remain still throughout the day and into the night. They constantly wait on the warm light of the sun to move across the sky. They even lean forward and backward reaching for the warm light, but they never move.
Jesus supplies everything they need: water, nutrients, light, darkness, cool and hot weather. They do not have to inform Him of their needs. All they do throughout their life is to stand patiently waiting on Jesus, looking to the Son.
Abiding in Jesus is to rest in Him, patiently waiting on Him. It is calm assurance that He is faithful. Abiding in Jesus [John 15:5] is being still and knowing that He is God [Psalm 46:10].
There is joy and peace in waiting patiently on Jesus.
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him;….” Psalm 37:7
For Jesus’ Kingdom
Hugh Folds
Interim Pastor
Romans 14:17
