MAKING TIME TO SLOW DOWN

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen,

I will be exalted in the earth – Ps 46:10

Our generation can be correctly described as a very busy one. Busy is a word that is often found on the lips of everybody these days; ‘no time’, you hear people say. We have so many things to do, but time seems to be the very thing we don’t have. It is always on the speeding side. Rest is gradually becoming an illusion for many.

Some organizations are now in the habit of buying the leave of their employees. A period that someone is supposed to leave work and have time for himself and his family is converted into money that quickly drains out of the pocket. In Lagos, it is no news that as early as 4am, people are already on their way to work. And they don’t return home until around 11pm in the night. Even our bedroom that should grant us a sort of rest from the madness around us has become an active office, courtesy of mobile phones, laptop, and internet. These gadgets that are meant to ease life are the very ones complicating it. The Scripture says in Eccl 7:29 “This is all that I have learned: God made us plain and simple, but we have made ourselves very complicated” (Good News).

This is definitely not the purpose of God for our lives. A sincere and close observation will reveal that our prayer life and communion is seriously affected. In recent times, it is beginning to reflect in the physical – youths are aging very fast. Though the first commandment of God to man is to work (Gen 1:28).    Nevertheless, He still expects us to have rest in our lives like He did (Gen 2:3).One of God’s gift to man is creativity. How can we ever use this gift to His glory if we continue living these hurried lives. Remember, God speaks to us in a ‘still small voice’ (1 Kg 19:12).

I encourage you to find a way to make time to slow down. Find a moment and a place where you can shut yourself off from television, radio, PDA’s, mobile phones, internet and the rest of the world. I’m almost sure you are beginning to wonder if this is ever possible. Reminisce on your past life and begin to ask God questions like “Lord, what do you want me to do with the rest of my life?”, “What do you want me to do with all the people in my life?”, “What do you want me to do with my job and marriage?”  And most importantly “How do I start doing things right from now?”

As you quietly speak to God and listen in your heart, you will be amazed at how much you will discover.  For He Himself said…

“Be still, and know that I am God"