Stay Awhile

“‘Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.'”

Matthew 11:28

“You keep him in perfect peace
whose mind is stayed on you,
because he trusts in you.”

Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

Lingering with the Lord is a lost practice.

We are too busy trying to accomplish tasks and get through our days to just sit and be. Our minds race and the to do lists seem never ending. Others need our help and attention. We feel our hearts beat faster and our stomachs sink as we attempt to determine how we can fit it all in, too tired to think clearly.

We can start by giving the problems to God. Find a quiet and cozy place where you can be alone with Him. Ask Him to carry the burdens for a while and to help you create an action plan when the time is right.

Sitting in the quiet, and clearing our minds, enables us to sense the Lord’s gentle guidance, allowing us to discover new and better options for handling our burdens.

Focus on being, not doing. Allow yourself to notice your surroundings. You may use deep breathing, soft music, the scent of a candle, watching a fire, or closing your eyes while relaxing in a comfortable position. Stay in this space as long as you are able and it is serving you. If you’re concerned you may fall asleep, set a gentle alarm to call you back when necessary.

Once you are ready, thank the Lord for His constant presence, and for His promises to give us perfect peace and rest when we stay close to Him. Ask Him to help you with your plans for the rest of today and to guide you toward the actions you need to take each day.

The Lord is always eager to spend time with You. Inviting Him to sit with you in the quiet, even for just a few minutes, creates the space for you to trust His guidance, which brings peace and restoration. This allows us to resume our activities with a renewed sense of calm and connection to our greater purpose.

PRAYER:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for Your constant presence in our lives. Help us to invite You into our days and ask for Your guidance as we complete our plans and purpose. Thank You for the peace and rest we gain when we learn to trust You.
In Christ’s Name, Amen.

Journal: How can you find more quiet time to linger with the Lord? Keep your journal handy to record what you discover.

Photo by Jessica Johnston on Unsplash