How is Your Day Going?

I sat down this morning to study and finish the message for this upcoming weekend. That is after getting the kids to school, checking in with our leaders, writing two letters and a recommendation, looking over a proposal, finalizing a wedding service, addressing two budget items and penning out an email. It’s 8:48am.

Every day comes with its own busy. Things that need to get done, things you want to get done, and the things that are waiting to get done. Then there are the unexpected requests that come along you weren’t planning on at all.

They pop up out of nowhere. It could be a text from a friend who is in crisis. A “mom its due today” project that your child remembered as they are on their way to school. A flat tire on the way to work.

You feel the urge to address each item on this new checklist you didn’t anticipate. It presses upon your day tempting you to surrender what you know needs to be taken care of. If you’re not careful, these urgent “pop up” requests will take precedence over the things that are truly important; time with Jesus, quality time with your family, exercise, a decent meal, time to study, time to be still, and simply to listen to the unforced rhythms of His grace.

What’s the remedy? How do we find the “unforced rhythm of grace” Jesus offers when the world around us is not only out of tune, it’s clapping loudly offbeat?

I shared on Sunday 10 Symptoms of Busy Sickness from John Mark Comer’s book, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.”

Here it is:

10 Symptoms of Hurry Sickness

Irritable
Hypersensitive
Restless
Workaholic
Emotionally Numb
Misaligned Priorities
Poor Self Care
Escapism
Slack in Spiritual Discipline
Isolation

If one or more of those symptoms are present in your life, you need to hear and put to practice the words of Jesus, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28–30, MSG).

Jesus offers us a better way. A way to do life that flows from Him. It’s the rhythm of rest and the art of abiding.

If you find yourself off beat or even beat down, why not stop what you’re doing, still yourself, and invite His presence which brings His peace. In that place, listen and let His words encourage, strengthen, and guide you.

Start there and your day will get off to a great start. It won’t stop the urgent requests from coming, but it will give you the grace to address them as needed.

Sunday we we dive deeper into this thought. Can’t wait to see you!

Grace to You,

Pastor

PS – Join us this month as we read through the Writings of John on the YouVersion Bible app. Tap “Set As My Church” to be connected to Grace then jump right in on the featured devotional. Each month we will post a devotional that goes along with our sermon series. Let’s grow together by getting in God’s Word!