Take Time to Rest

Busyness v Stillness
Chaotic v Calmness
Stress v Peace
Agitation v Tranquility
Noise v Quietness

As I sat with Jude with our feet overhanging a cliff overseeing the beauty of God's creation all around us in the East Coast Mountains, the stillness and quietness reminded me; I can not be the person I should be without times of quietness.

As we look at the life of Jesus in the four biographies (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) we see that God in human flesh continually planned, sought out times of quietness, alone-ness, away from the crowds. We are reminded: We will not become the person God wants us to become without solitude.

How has this annual all-church month of August of rest, satisfaction and inspiration going for you?
I am concerned that we slow down, quiet down and gear down our lives so that daily and weekly we carve out time for quietness, solitude, thought, prayer, meditation, and soul searching. 
Oh, how much frustration will begin to fade away . . . 
How insignificant petty differences will seem . . . 
How big God will become and how small our troubles will appear! 
Satisfaction, security, peace, confidence and inspiration will move right on in.

This is what Isaiah, the prophet, meant when he wrote:
The fruit of that righteousness will be peace,
Its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.
Then My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, and in secure homes, and in undisturbed places of rest. Isa 32:17–18

God's still, small voice will never shout. God's methods do not change. He is longing for your attention, your undivided and full attention. He wants to talk with you in times of quietness about your need for understanding, love, compassion, patience, self-control, a calm spirit, genuine humility, and wisdom. He will wait and wait until you finally sit in silence and listen.  

Seeking quietness daily and weekly,
Pastor Chris

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