I got this message from God about a month ago (on July 3rd to be precise): “Slow down and be with me.” I even wrote it down and journaled about it. The message could not have been any clearer and you might assume that I received the message loud and clear. Me too. That is, until this morning when God gave me two reminders.

Reminder #1:

 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are
weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you.
Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-30, NLT

Reminder #2:

Most of us are going as fast as we can, living life at a dizzying speed, and God is nowhere to be found. We’re not rejecting God; we just don’t have time for him. We’ve lost him in the blurred landscape as we rush to church. We don’t struggle with the Bible, but with the clock.

Spiritual growth is not running faster, as in  more meetings, more Bible studies, and more prayer meetings. Spiritual growth happens when we slow our activity down.If we want to meet Jesus we can’t do it on the run….Christianity is not about inviting Jesus to speed up through life with us; it’s about noticing Jesus sitting at the rest stop.

Rest is the ultimate humiliation because in order to rest, we must admit that we are not necessary, that the world can get along without us, that God’s work does not depend on us.

Messy Spirituality, Michael Yaconelli, pages 124, 125, 127

So there you have it. I think I get the message. Slow down, rest with God, focus on Him instead of the “stuff” I think ‘m doing for Him. There is too much in the above passages for me to unpack…it’s still too fresh and raw in my own spirit. So why do I share? Two reasons. First, it’s a form of confession and accountability on my part. Second, you might need some of this message too.

I’m still not exactly sure how and where God wants me to slow down (i.e.: what He wants me to give up or how need to slow down in my spirit), but I’m working on it, praying about it, and getting the message. Pray for me as I continue to unpack this and walk in it with Christ. And drop me a comment if you have anything to share on this topic…either your own struggles or ways you have conquered this one.