Slow Down

God has given me more time to rest recently.  I broke my right foot on March 30^th and have been in a boot or an “air cast.”  The bone has been taking its good old time healing.  I wasn’t able to drive for two months and had to depend on my awesome friends and coworkers a lot.  It has been humbling.  I would much rather be the one helping someone else out.

I was asking God, “what is the lesson for me to learn in all of this?” and I think He has been telling me to slow down.  To be honest, I don’t like slowing down.  I prefer to be busy and I’m not good at being still.  It is hard for me to relax – especially when there are things to do and cross off of my “to do” list.  But, I have had to do that more recently to rest and elevate my foot.  The funny thing is, that sometimes I feel lazy when I’m resting and relaxing.  It is something that I have to learn to do.  God is God and I am not.  The world is not going to stop spinning if I don’t get my list finished, lol.  The scriptures tell us that Jesus took time to rest and spend time alone with God.  Psalm 46:10 sums it up: “Be still, and know that I am God.  I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

The Holy Spirit has been speaking to my heart in my quiet time too, especially during my prayer time.  I’ve been sensing that I need to practice being quiet and listening more – to be intentional and not doing all of the talking and requesting and pleading.  Abide is the word that the Lord keeps bringing to me.  I am learning to stop “doing” and just abide.  And wouldn’t you know it, the more I try to do this, the more distracted I become and can’t seem to focus at all.  Sometimes the enemy tries to make me think that I can’t do the thing I know God is wanting me to do.

Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12-13 that “For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.  This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.”  Verse 14 continues naming each piece of armor we are to put on.  I encourage you to read the whole passage of Ephesians 6:10-20 and get dressed in your armor daily.

Written by Karen Rigby: Karen Rigby currently serves in Partner Care at America’s Keswick and has been coming to Keswick since 1995.  She is involved in mentoring other women, women’s Bible study, and volunteering at her church.   She is an empty-nester with two grown children, Tom and Alexa, and is enjoying this season of life.