I am often guilty of being too busy in my heart and mind to slow down, seek and actually listen for God. I have difficulty being present in a moment, because I am thinking about the next thing, the next event, the next way I need to apply myself, and so I wind up in a place where I am busied, hurried and just generally stressed out. I am very good at doing this. I carry the sin of busyness around with me like it’s a badge of honor, and just like most others ‘pet sins’ it is very hard for me to let go of it.

Now, I can either get disgusted with myself again, and throw a little pity party for myself, or I can get disgusted with myself, repent and seek out God. Option #1 just brings me back to the same place again and again. Option #2 promises hope and a change that will honor God rather than lift up my pride and inflate my ego. “Ben’s busy, he must be important.” or some-such nonsense. My heart’s cry & prayer needs to be for reconciliation with God, a new mindset and a heart that honors Him. And in order for that to happen I need to find my refuge from myself in Him, I need to be saved from me, once again, and seek out peace through Christ. I don’t have the strength to GoLove people the way I should, I rely on myself to get things done, and burn myself out in the process. Even now, my mind is running through things that need to be done, and I am having trouble focusing.

I have to learn to stop.
To listen to the words of Christ when He spoke to the storm:
“Peace. Be still.”
Because if He can calm the torrents of a storm, He can handle me, too.
Breathe.
Peace.
Slowly.

Thank you, Jesus.

Security in God
For the choir director: on stringed instruments. Davidic.

“1 God, hear my cry;
pay attention to my prayer.
2 I call to You from the ends of the earth
when my heart is without strength.
Lead me to a rock that is high above me,
3 for You have been a refuge for me,
a strong tower in the face of the enemy.
4 I will live in Your tent forever
and take refuge under the shelter of Your wings. Selah

5 God, You have heard my vows;
You have given a heritage
to those who fear Your name.
6 Add days to the kings life;
may his years span many generations.
7 May he sit enthroned before God forever;
appoint faithful love and truth to guard him.
8 Then I will continually sing of Your name,
fulfilling my vows day by day.”