Jogging Or Sprinting

The other day I read that the earth spins 1000 times faster at the equator than it does at either one of the poles.  In fact, that’s why rockets are launched closer to the Earth’s midline than further away.  When a spacecraft is launched from around the equator, it is already traveling at a considerably faster speed… thus making it more fuel efficient and quicker to enter orbit.  

Isn’t that true in our lives as well?  The closer we are to the center of things…the faster paced life is.  Some thrive in the environment… while others do whatever they can to retreat to the slower pace of the poles.  But what speed does God want us to live?  

Galatians 6:9 tells us: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”  We have to remember that It’s not about the speed of life…it’s about staying at it and not quitting.   There will be times in our lives where we’ll sprint…and others where we’ll jog.  What God is concerned about is our priorities and our perseverance.  At whatever speed you’re living… are we putting Him first?  Are we loving and serving others?  If so… run on.  Don’t give up on the dream that He’s put in your heart long before you were born.  And whatever you do… in whatever season you find yourself in… at whatever speed life is coming at you…. don’t quit.   Breakthrough is coming… and God has big things planned for you!

No Hurry

I’ve learned a lot in almost thirty years of ministry… but today’s truth may be one of the hardest to apply.

To live the life you’ve always wanted you can’t be hurried.  You have to take your time.  

No rush.  No elevated heartbeat as you race to your next destination.  No hypertension... no ticking clock... no must-do agenda.  When we become hurried and push ourselves too hard, we lose the ability and capacity to love others.  Love takes time... and we can’t give what we don’t have.  If we are too busy... we might not be loving those around us at the level they need us to.  Plus, when we are in a hurry, we get angry much more quickly.   Our fuse shortens.  We snap at those we love... hoping that they’ll understand the pressure we’re under.  The closer the relationship it seems... the harsher the tone we use.  They’ll get over it... they are family.  

Right?

I talk to so many who claim that they have to hurry to get everything done.  I contend that if we can’t stop during our day to love people... take care of ourselves... and most importantly, talk to and praise God... than we’re too busy.   

Hurry sickness is real... and it’s not Biblical.  So many claim to follow Christ.  If Christ is their leader... than why do they spend their waking hours trying to outrun Him?  To outdo Him?  To handle things they aren’t supposed to in an attempt to win more favor from Him... so that He’ll bless them with even more opportunity... so they can add more to an already overbooked schedule.  You can’t earn favor.  He gives that away freely because He loves you unconditionally. 

If you are following Christ.  Follow Him.  He’s not running.  

While He was on the earth, Jesus Christ was never in a hurry.  He walked slowly enough to feel an old woman tug at his robe... stopped long enough to visit with Mary and Martha... and allowed little children to run up to Him so He could give them a hug.  Christ-followers stay behind their leader.  They let Him set the pace.

I know what some of you are saying... Pastor, that’s easy for you to say... you don’t live my life!  You’re right.  You are busy and it’s hard.  You’ve got bills to pay, kids to feed, and a boss that gives you the workload of two employees.  You’ve got professors who give you massive papers to write at the same time... a leaky roof... and in-laws who insist on calling and telling you how disappointed they are in you.  I hear you...  But I also know that God has asked us to do two things:  Love Him first and love our neighbors as ourselves.  In fact, love is what we are supposed to be known for...

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  John 13:35

Do you have time to love others?  To hear their needs?  To empathize with their situations?   LIfe isn’t about how much we can pack in before we head out... it’s about how many people we come into contact with and affect with the love of Christ.   I’m not saying you can abandon what you need to do to get through things.  What I am saying is that you’ve got to spend some time re-prioritizing and choosing the great tasks over just the good ones.   Commit today to look for some open space in your schedule and purposefully use it to read God’s Word and love others.  Make a list of the most important people in your life... do they know you love them?  When was the last time they got some uninterrupted quality time with you?  Maybe it’s been too long.  Maybe you’ve come down with a case of hurry sickness.  We want to partner together with you to help you discover and embrace the cure...

“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’”  Matthew 11:28

Weary? 

Have heavy burdens?

Stressed out? 

Hurried?

Come to Christ.  He will give you the rest you seek.

The Rest

Psalm 46:10a

“Be still, and know that I am God!”

It has been reported that the average American gets 1 hour and 6 minutes less sleep than the 8 hours that they need each night.  When you add that up, that’s a 338 hour shortage... two full weeks!  Scientists have called this “sleep bankruptcy”... people walking around overtired and unaware of the risks to their health that lack of sleep poses.  

This definitely hurts our physical well-being... but there’s something that affects us far more profoundly:  A lack of spiritual rest.  So many exhaust themselves... wondering if God will come through.  Hours of time are lost to self-doubt, lack of faith, panic, and an overwhelming sense that worrying can help a situation.  God has other plans... He tells us in Psalm 46 to be still.  Rest.  Let Him be God.   When we do so, and we allow our minds and hearts to trust Him, we find ourselves refreshed and ready to enjoy the blessings that He has for us each day.

The Rest

“The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.”  Mark 6:30-32

You can imagine the scene.  Every city they entered...crowds gathered...waiting for hope and healing.   Jesus told them to take care of the people...  cast out demons, heal them from their sicknesses, and preach the good news to all who would listen.  And they did.  With everything they had!  Jesus’ chosen disciples were changing the world one miracle at a time.  Excited, they sprinted back to their Teacher to tell Him the great news.  They eagerly shared...waiting for a jubilant pat on the back or the call for a party.  Jesus‘ replied... but not in a way that many would understand. 

Jesus told them to rest.  Rest?  But Jesus... there are thousands who are sick!  There are hundreds who need to hear your message of salvation!  Dozens of hurting and hungry children!  Jesus... are you sure you want us to rest?

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing.  He knew the value of pace.   Of rest.   Of being healthy to be effective.   Christ heard their stomachs growling... He heard their words and looked into their tired eyes.  The Lord knew that there would always be people in need... but a group of exhausted shepherds would do them little good.  They wanted to keep pushing... Jesus knew what was better for them.  He understood a truth that many today do not.

Rest is a spiritual discipline.  

“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”  Psalm 127:2

“So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.”  Hebrews 4:9-11

Lots of resting in scripture.  But don’t confuse resting with laziness...

“I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”  Proverbs 24:30-34

The discipline of resting isn’t meant to replace hard work.  It isn’t an excuse to abandon the needy... or avoid your calling.  It’s not an off-ramp... leaving the hard work highway....

Rest is pulling over to the roadside and replenishing.   It’s reflecting on what you’ve done.  Pausing long enough to gain perspective, rejuvenation, and renewed focus.  The devil will try to convince those alongside the road that their delay means that they’re lazy.  He’ll argue that if you truly loved people you’d just keep going.  

The devil is a liar.

God the Father rested.

Jesus rested.

The disciples rested.

Pushing past your threshold doesn’t make you more spiritual... it tends to make you less effective.  It abandons the model that God gives us.  It buys in to the myth that the truly Godly people are the ones that are dead on their feet.  Untrue.  Tired people make foolish decisions.  Exhausted people are far more susceptible to temptation.   

Why did Jesus make His disciples take a break?  

Because He knew that life has a rhythm.  It has notes and rests... purposeful pauses that help us stay our sharpest.  Find yourself too busy to stop once in awhile?   Re-evaluate your priority list and work in some time to recharge.  Not only will you be better at what you do... able to help more people... serve with renewed vigor... you will be modeling the One who breathed life into you.  Now go get some rest... :)

State of Rest

“Be still, and know that I am God!”  Psalm 46:10a

There may be no greater killer of happiness that stress.  Busyness and fatigue lead to discouraging thoughts and eventually affect your health in adverse ways...

But this is unavoidable, right?  Stress is just built into everyday life...isn’t it?

Is there any hope for peace?  Is a stress-controlled life possible?

Take some time during your week to pray... meditate on scripture... take a deep breath... get alone... 

Even Jesus did this.  He knew the value of getting away and regrouping.   I can already hear you screaming at your iPad... “Pastor.. my day is WAY too hectic for meditation or solitude”  

Then I would say that your day is way too busy.  

I have found in my 20+ years of ministry that people do what they want to do.  If they think it’s valuable enough, they’ll make the time no matter what they have to adjust.  You must first value “being still” before you’ll make it part of your day.  Trust me... once you start, you’ll wonder what took you so long.   Remember, as I’ve said before in my teachings, life is rhythmic.  There are notes and rests... and if you only play all fast notes... the music of life becomes just noise.  Rests are as important in beautiful melodies as tones... play both.  

Take some time today to “be still” and listen for God... you’ll hear things from Him that only patient and expectant silence will allow.  

Rhythm of Life

“The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’ He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.”  Mark 6:30-32

You can imagine the scene.  Every city they entered...crowds gathered...waiting for hope and healing.   Jesus told them to take care of the people...  cast out demons, heal them from their sicknesses, and preach the good news to all who would listen.  And they did.  With everything they had!  Jesus’ chosen disciples were changing the world one miracle at a time.  Excited, they sprinted back to their Teacher to tell Him the great news.  They eagerly shared...waiting for a jubilant pat on the back or the call for a party.  Jesus‘ replied... but not in a way that many would understand. 

Jesus told them to rest.  Rest?  But Jesus... there are thousands who are sick!  There are hundreds who need to hear your message of salvation!  Dozens of hurting and hungry children!  Jesus... are you sure you want us to rest?

Jesus knew exactly what He was doing.  He knew the value of pace.   Of rest.   Of being healthy to be effective.   Christ heard their stomachs growling... He heard their words and looked into their tired eyes.  The Lord knew that there would always be people in need... but a group of exhausted shepherds would do them little good.  They wanted to keep pushing... Jesus knew what was better for them.  He understood a truth that many today do not.

Rest is a spiritual discipline.  

“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”  Psalm 127:2

“So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.”  Hebrews 4:9-11

Lots of resting in scripture.  But don’t confuse resting with laziness...

“I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”  Proverbs 24:30-34

The discipline of resting isn’t meant to replace hard work.  It isn’t an excuse to abandon the needy... or avoid your calling.  It’s not an off-ramp... leaving the hard work highway....

Rest is pulling over to the roadside and replenishing.   It’s reflecting on what you’ve done.  Pausing long enough to gain perspective, rejuvenation, and renewed focus.  The devil will try to convince those alongside the road that their delay means that they’re lazy.  He’ll argue that if you truly loved people you’d just keep going.  

The devil is a liar.

God the Father rested.

Jesus rested.

The disciples rested.

Pushing past your threshold doesn’t make you more spiritual... it tends to make you less effective.  It abandons the model that God gives us.  It buys in to the myth that the truly Godly people are the ones that are dead on their feet.  Untrue.  Tired people make foolish decisions.  Exhausted people are far more susceptible to temptation.   

Why did Jesus make His disciples take a break?  

Because He knew that life has a rhythm.  It has notes and rests... purposeful pauses that help us stay our sharpest.  Find yourself too busy to stop once in awhile?   Re-evaluate your priority list and work in some time to recharge.  Not only will you be better at what you do... able to help more people... serve with renewed vigor... you will be modeling the One who breathed life into you.  Now go get some rest... :)

The Rest

“Be still, and know that I am God!”  Psalm 46:10a

There may be no greater killer of progress and joy than stress.  Busyness and fatigue lead to discouraging thoughts and eventually the demise of your commitments to yourself.  Take some time during your week to pray... meditate on scripture... take a deep breath... get alone... 

Even Jesus did this.  He knew the value of getting away and regrouping.   I can already hear you screaming at your iPad... “Pastor.. my day is WAY too hectic for meditation or solitude”  

Then I would say that your day is way too busy.  

I have found in my 20+ years of ministry that people do what they want to do.  If they think it’s valuable enough, they’ll make the time no matter what they have to adjust.  You must first value “being still” before you’ll make it part of your day.  Trust me... once you start, you’ll wonder what took you so long.   Remember, as I’ve said before in my teachings, life is rhythmic.  There are notes and rests... and if you only play all fast notes... the music of life becomes noise.  Rests are as important in beautiful melodies as tones... play both.  In doing so, your blood pressure will improve, you’ll find the margin to accomplish more, and those things that used to drive you crazy will seem less important than they used to.  

Sometimes the most holy thing you can do is sleep.  Pace yourself friends… this marathon we run is meant to be taken in 24 hour chunks.  Don’t borrow trouble from next week or even two hours from now.  Stop.  Breathe.  Rest.  If you don’t intentionally do it, nobody is going to stop you and make you.  No more kindergarten nap times or chances to put your heads down on your desks.  You’re running very hard.  Stop along the way to not only smell the roses… but enjoy their beauty.  Soak in life… make memories… and remember that your Heavenly Father has got your back no matter what.  

Now THAT’S a reason to rest easy!

Pace

Many see life like the croaking of a frog.  

RIBBIT  -  rest  -  RIBBIT   -  rest.  -  RIBBIT - rest

Perfectly metered...equally paced.  Off, on, off, on.   Work, home, work, home.  A perfect    blend. 

This is NOT life.  You may hear this in a swamp but you won’t see it in your neighborhood.  We get into trouble when we feel like our lives should live up to this unrealistic expectation.  It simply isn’t possible or necessary.  

Life is much more like the song of the bird.  Music... loud, soft, long rests and short blasts.  Melodic...flowing...pausing...restarting.  It isn’t loud crescendos all the time... often it’s calm melodies... thoughtful passages where great focus is placed on the benefit of the entire piece over one grouping of instruments.  Sometimes it gets very loud and stays there... only to give way to a necessary silence.  A time to catch your breath, turn the page, and continue playing.  Unequally paced...intentionally asymmetrical.

The key to a fulfilled life is seeking Christ in all things... realizing that we should be focused on His rhythms over the hard cadence of what the world deems to be healthy. 

I love the way this verse from Matthew talks about it.  

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  Matthew 11:28-30

Recover your life.   Unforced rhythms of grace.  Real rest.

Only through Christ.  

Jesus didn’t try to balance His ministry... spending equal time with His disciples and those He came to serve.  Instead He knew that He had a limited time to make an impact for the Kingdom... 

He gave His all to fulfill His purpose... 

Intentionally poured into His family when He was with them... 

Involved those He loved in what He was doing... 

Stayed connected to God through honest communication in prayer..

It wasn’t balance He was after... it was rhythm.   The world may have said He wasn’t balanced... and they would be right.  He wasn’t going for parity.  He was fulfilling His purpose.

We should do the same.

Thrive where you’re planted... make the most of the season you’re in... and dance to the perfect rhythm of life by following Christ.  Give up the pursuit of balance and embrace the ebb and flow of God’s timing and mission for your life.

Let the frogs croak... you weren’t meant for the bog anyway.   

Faster?

The other day I read that the earth spins 1000 times faster at the equator than it does at either one of the poles.  In fact, that’s why rockets are launched closer to the Earth’s midline than further away.  When a spacecraft is launched from around the equator, it is already traveling at a considerably faster speed… thus making it more fuel efficient and quicker to enter orbit.  

Isn’t that true in our lives as well?  The closer we are to the center of things…the faster paced life is.  Some thrive in the environment… while others do whatever they can to retreat to the slower pace of the poles.  But what speed does God want us to live?  

Galatians 6:9 tells us: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”  We have to remember that It’s not about the speed of life…it’s about staying at it and not quitting.   There will be times in our lives where we’ll sprint…and others where we’ll jog.  What God is concerned about is our priorities and our perseverance.  At whatever speed you’re living… are we putting Him first?  Are we loving and serving others?  If so… run on.  Don’t give up on the dream that He’s put in your heart long before you were born.  And whatever you do… in whatever season you find yourself in… at whatever speed life is coming at you…. don’t quit.   Breakthrough is coming… and God has big things planned for you!

Balance?

Many see life like the croaking of a frog.

RIBBIT  -  rest  -  RIBBIT   -  rest.  -  RIBBIT - rest

Perfectly metered...equally paced.  Off, on, off, on.   Work, home, work, home.  A perfect    blend. This is NOT life.  You may hear this in a swamp but you won’t see it in your neighborhood.  We get into trouble when we feel like our lives should live up to this unrealistic expectation.  It simply isn’t possible or necessary.

Life is much more like the song of the bird.  Music... loud, soft, long rests and short blasts.  Melodic...flowing...pausing...restarting.  It isn’t loud crescendos all the time... often it’s calm melodies... thoughtful passages where great focus is placed on the benefit of the entire piece over one grouping of instruments.  Sometimes it gets very loud and stays there... only to give way to a necessary silence.  A time to catch your breath, turn the page, and continue playing.  Unequally paced...intentionally asymmetrical.

The key to a fulfilled life is seeking Christ in all things... realizing that we should be focused on His rhythms over the hard cadence of what the world deems to be healthy.

I love the way this verse from Matthew talks about it.

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”  Matthew 11:28-30

Recover your life.   Unforced rhythms of grace.  Real rest.

Only through Christ.
Jesus didn’t try to balance His ministry... spending equal time with His disciples and those He came to serve.  Instead He knew that He had a limited time to make an impact for the Kingdom...

He gave His all to fulfill His purpose...
Intentionally poured into His family when He was with them...
Involved those He loved in what He was doing...
Stayed connected to God through honest communication in prayer..

It wasn’t balance He was after... it was rhythm.   The world may have said He wasn’t balanced... and they would be right.  He wasn’t going for parity.  He was fulfilling His purpose.

We should do the same.

Thrive where you’re planted... make the most of the season you’re in... and dance to the perfect rhythm of life by following Christ.  Give up the pursuit of balance and embrace the ebb and flow of God’s timing and mission for your life.

Let the frogs croak... you weren’t meant for the bog anyway.  

The Speed of Life

TRUST 

Proverbs 3:5-6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

    do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,

    and he will show you which path to take.”

The head of the Nevada Highway Patrol once said, “‘At 100 mph you’re not driving a car, you’re aiming it.’" So true.  At that speed, you aren’t really in control... You don’t feel the rocks under your tires or see any of the passing scenery.  It’s just an exercise in staying between the lines and avoiding major obstacles.

Sound like your life?  Fast?  Out of control?  If you’re in a season like that, Proverbs 3:5-6 has some advice.  Trust God.  The verse says to count on Him completely... and He’ll direct your path.  He will get you to where you need to go regardless of life’s pace or what comes your way.  You may not get to pick the speed of your day... but you do get to choose Who does the high-speed driving through the challenges.