Relax. Breathe. Pray.

Sometimes I feel like life is on fast forward.  I have alarms set to be at different places at different times throughout the day.  I always have a laundry list of tasks to complete.  I want my meals quick and my time seems un-reachable during these fast pace seasons of life.  I haven't always struggled with this.  Most of my life I have been a type B, laid back, go-with-the-flow kind of gal.  It wasn't until I entered into graduate school that I found myself rushing from meeting to meeting, and ultimately feeling worn out and stressed at the end of each day.  {It's as if I am a slave to my seemingly important priorities.  There is always another task to be done, person to make happy, and project to work on.  When I complete each task, I never feel as fulfilled as I thought I would.}  I was filling my life with good things, but I was missing the most important thing of all...  time with Jesus.  During these times I felt like I was running through life putting friends, relaxation, and sometimes even God on hold.  Do you ever feel this way?

This summer I have returned home with my family finally been able to take a deep breath, relax and realize what my ultimate priorities are.  I've realized that each good thing in my life has been a blessing given to me from Jesus.  Realizing the gifts in my life, make me realize my mistake of sometimes being too busy for Jesus.  I'm sure I'm not the only one in the 21st century who struggles with being busy... right?

Reflecting during my quiet time today has brought me to a state of needing repentance.  "Dear Jesus, Thank you for blessing me with every good thing in my life.  As you communicate in James, I know that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  I ask for forgiveness for sometimes choosing busyness in my life over my time with you and I ask for help in setting aside time to spend alone with you.  Thank you for hearing my prayer and for continuing to draw near to me when I draw near to you.  Amen."

I always feel so much better after I lift up things to Jesus.  It's as if a weight is lifted off of my shoulders!

So what does it look like for a person to follow Christ in the 21st century?  I am not sure I have the time or space to answer this question in full, but I know God has something to say about Christian living in his word.

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16

On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Psalm 63:6

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations.  I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Keep this book of the law always on your lips, meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.  Mark 1:35

In the 21st century time and busyness is praised and sometimes even worshipped and idolized.  Idolatry is a matter of priority, which is demonstrated when we love, trust, or place our hope in something other than Christ and in what he has done.  As millennials, we need to be aware that busyness tries to take a higher spot than God.  We need to put God above all other tasks.  One way we can do this is by spending time with him each and every day.  I realize that Christ loves me enough to spend time with me, so I need to show my love for him by spending time alone with him.  I ask that if you so feel lead that you would join me in prayer this week that we would be reminded daily to spend time with Jesus.

I invite you to think about these questions with me today:

What does it look like for a person to follow Christ in the 21st century?

What do I fill my time with?

Am I giving God as much time as I should each day?