Time to Pause

Have you ever had one of those days, or weeks, or even months where everything seemed to hit you all at once? If it could go wrong, it did. I feel like I’ve been in one of those cycles recently, and yesterday, it was culminated by a technological glitch that has impacted millions. I’ve heard stories about blue screens; people not being able to enter time so that they could get paid; flights being cancelled, and people not being able to pay for food they just purchased. The news has been filled with one sort of attack or another in the past few weeks and everything feels like it’s spinning out of control.

If you’re like me, all you want to do is find a moment where you can catch your breath before the next thing comes your way. Maybe I’m alone but that’s how I have been feeling, but then I looked out of my window yesterday. I saw the leaves moving in rhythm with the gentle breeze that was passing by, and I heard in my spirit, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10a) It’s one of my favorite verses because no matter how crazy my life or things get in the world, it reminds me that God has not changed. It reminds me that even though life has taken me by surprise, it’s no surprise to God and He’s gone ahead of me and prepared the way for me to get through whatever I’m facing. It reminds me that even though what I’m facing may cause me to pause or fear, if I’m still, I can sense God’s presence and know that’s He’s with me right where I am. And because God is with me, the fires won’t consume me and the waves of fear, or anxiety or depression or grief won’t overtake me. I’m reminded that just because I can’t see God at work, doesn’t mean He’s not working and this too shall pass.

Sometimes though, it takes me a while to get to the place of assurance and peace. I think it’s because when life happens, it can force us to stop and question where our trust lies. What or who do we rely upon? When we need direction and answers, where do we turn? And if yesterday revealed anything, we’ve become a society that is so integrated into technology, it’s hard to function without it. It may me wonder, how imbedded technology has become, not only in our natural lives, but as a substitute in our spiritual lives. When everything we do is either connected to technology and/or a device, have the lines of trust and the source of our provision become blurred? Have we unintentionally turned our technology into idols or little gods? Do we feel less refreshed and more stressed because we spend more time on our phones than on our knees?

I realize that as am typing this and as you’re reading this, it’s because of technology. So, I don’t believe that technology in and of itself is bad. It’s like anything else. When we don’t use it in moderation or we misuse it, it can cause us harm.  I also think it impacts the way we connect and relate to one another in our families, communities and society as a whole. Every week I get a report telling me how much time I’ve spent on my phone as compared to last week. I’ve often wondered, what would my report say about the time I spend in communion with God or the time I spend in fellowship with my family or in service to my neighbor. What would it say about the time I spend being as compared to doing?

I don’t know about you, but I’m long overdue for some quiet time. I need to detach and git off the grid for a while. So, I’m going to close out now and sign off so I can go and be still. Will you join me?