Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
We live in a fast paced world where instant gratification is sought after and busyness has become the norm. We're rushing to and fro to meet deadlines, be on time for work, fit in our exercise, eat a clean balanced diet and keep in tune with the schedules of our family. Somehow we have lost touch with what is truly important and have become robotic machines moving quickly from one task to another. Those that have come before us would cringe if they could see how we've become over stressed, overworked and spiritually undernourished. Would you agree that satan loves nothing better than to keep us so busy that we have little or no time to focus on the things of the Lord?
As Christians, it is so important that we recognize the subtle murmurings of our culture challenging us to keep up with and keep the pace of those around us even in the church. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, tells us "do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Some years back my husband and I became very frustrated with how life was going. Our schedules were completely full, we were exhausted all the time and seemed to be running from one thing to another, leaving very little time for family and each other. Unfortunately we had listened to what others thought we needed to be doing instead of seeking God's plan for us. Don't get me wrong everything we were doing was good, working, teaching, leading, ministering, etc. but we had filled our schedules so full that we hadn't left any "MARGIN" in our lives to rest, enjoy life and to allow God to use us how He desired. We had to learn that we don't have to be at the church every time the door is open and that saying no does not mean that we are not nice people or not faithful Christians.
We took a step back from all the responsibilities we had and set our first priorities as being home and family. Now everything else that is rallying for our attention is based on how it will affect those two things. Too often our families get what is left of us and we no longer wanted to sacrifice our family because of busyness. This doesn't mean that we never go out of our way to help others, quite the contrary. We have more time in our lives now to be directed by God to help others and foster meaningful relationships. We have left time in our lives to breathe, to think, to rest, to play, and to just be together. Our view of life has changed and we are now able to embrace every single moment and enjoy each day with joy and thanksgiving. When things happen that we can not change, we recognize that God has allowed them for a purpose so we rest in Him and trust His plans for us.
It’s so easy to fill our days with too many unnecessary activities and our homes with too much "stuff". It’s so easy to think that happiness is found outside of home and that more things will make us happier. I challenge you to take inventory of your life over the next few months. Are you keeping pace with the world or others expectations for you or have you left room for "MARGIN" in your life to breath, get enough rest and enjoy the abundance of life God has called you to?
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Dear Lord,
You are so patient with us and so merciful to us. We magnify Your Holy name, Lord, and ask that you would get our attention. When we find ourselves all caught up in the worlds affairs and the world's tactics would you please get in our face and help us to see what we are missing in life. Would you please reveal the error of our ways and the trap that we've walked into. Help us to reorder our priorities and seek to find what Your plans are for us. Transform us, Lord, by renewing our minds and changing our "WANTERS" to want what you want for us. Free us from the busyness of life and show us how we can slow down and live to please You instead of ourselves. I pray that Your voice would drown out every other influence and that we would recognize it and follow Your leading. Help us to take time to relax and take in the abundance of life that You've promised for those You've called according to Your purposes.
In Jesus Name,
Amen