Tired, overwhelmed, exhausted, burned out, and dilapidated…
is what a lot of us felt two weeks ago before our lives were seriously rocked
and interrupted by this global pandemic. Those deemed essential – especially in
the healthcare profession, are still experiencing it.
Bound by the chains of busyness, of doing everything in our
own strength, of feeling guilty for never doing enough or living up to the
expectations of others. When will enough be enough?!
“Are we so comfortable with exhaustion, that we can’t even enjoy a break when it’s thrust upon us?!” Priscilla Shirer, Breathe (Follow her on Twitter)
I think too often we simply don’t know how to stop. I equate
this with what I call my “poo” story. Stay with me ... My girls and I had this incredible
dog, Dee, who when this single-mom at the time put these four beauties to bed,
would lay outside their bedrooms in the hall until they went to sleep. Then
follow me to mine until I was asleep. Then – from what I could gather from the
creaking in the floor that would wake me up from time to time, patrolled the
house like a sentry. Well, this incredibly attentive protective canine had
three litters of pups so close together, and became so accustomed to cleaning
them nonstop, that she would continue eating their poo way beyond the age of
normal, necessary “mommy” cleaning. I mean, she did it to the point that her
poor lips would become raw! We couldn’t even let her outside without
supervision. We literally had to STOP her from doing it each time she was let
out, because once all the puppies were gone, she would eat her own. Disgusting
I know, but consider this… are we so accustomed to a nonstop life, that it is
literally making us continue a hectic, frenzied, chaotic existence? Causing us
to become raw in critical areas of our beings – the physical, mental,
spiritual, or emotional?
We need to give ourselves permission to STOP. Let this become
our season of slowing. C’mon, let’s face it… we’ve been pretty much halted from
most aspects of our active lives in just a matter of days. Quarantined away
from our coworkers, friends, family – anyone but those with whom we reside. The
exception, of course, are those brave, dedicated souls who are caring for the
sick – who probably more than any of us right now need a time of genuine rest
from the chains of life.
The Israelites led out of Egypt by Moses were given “… a loving, gracious gift that would break the chains... The gift was called Sabbath.” Priscilla Shirer, Breathe.
People have thought of this as a day set aside “of religious
observance and abstinence from work, kept by Jews from Friday evening to
Saturday evening, and by most Christians on Sunday.” However, our current culture
rarely affords an entire day for such rest. So in a desperate attempt to find
even a hint of it, recent studying has taught me so much more about it. The
most emphatic was that the Sabbath is to be used to look back over what God has
done - in my minutes, moments, days, weeks, years, etc., and trust what He will
do over the next time period… until the next Sabbath. THIS is what becomes our
“testimony” – our lifelong story.
Stop. Cease. Resist. Breathe. Be still and know He is God.
Here is where we will find tranquility, serenity, peace, calm, joy… REST. Then
reflect on what God has done for you, with thanksgiving.
As Priscilla Shirer so eloquently mentions on the back cover
of her book, Breathe, “It’s time for
us to breathe and build margin into our lives for God.”
Has this devotional stirred something inside you? Please comment below. I would LOVE to hear from you! Take care, stay safe, and stay healthy! 🥰
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