Do you agree? Is this the real problem of the Christian life?
I’ve been up since 2:00 in the morning. This quote hit me hard upon waking. It seems to have found me without my searching as I waited for the coffee to brew. As the thoughts of my day came rushing in. As I piled books up to read to fill my time and head.
So I stopped for a moment.
I think I agree. The real problem of the Christian life…it’s biggest challenge is…simply pausing.
Wouldn’t that put an end to so much Christian sin, mindless activity and lack of intentional running after Jesus’ calling on our lives?
To just pause.
Am I headed where God’s Word tells me to head?
Am I thinking upon what God’s Word tells me to think upon? Am I even thinking upon His Word?
Am I responding in love and by His Spirit or in anger, frustration, irritation, selfishness…the flesh?
Am I caught up in my natural fleshly “fussings and frettings” or am I standing back asking the Lord to help and guide me?
Am I caught up in Him?
Pausing this morning…coming in out of the wind. It’s bitter cold out there.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” -Philippians 4:4-9
I’d love to know what YOU think the biggest challenge of the Christian life is. Our challenges change as our life circumstances change. Please leave a comment, I’d love to connect!
I agree that it’s so important to pause. My goal for this year is to “Cease striving and know that I am God.” Sometimes I take the weight of my burdens on and stress and fret when God wants me to give them to him and trust him. I enjoyed visiting from Grace and Truth today!
Hi Valerie–thanks for visiting from Grace and Truth! My goal for the year is similar–To Yield in His Peace. I have a hard time walking the fine line between cooperating with God and selfish ambition. Working with God and too much striving. I think their is beauty in trying to figure this all out…May we continue to grow in this…
Hi Amy,
I’m not sure if you linked to Word of God Speak but this is a good post and a great question. I think the biggest challenge is to trust Him in all things.
Blessings,
Janis
Hi Janis! Yes…that ranks right up there at the top along with this one. Thanks for sharing…
I can, too often, let my own agenda rob me of God’s best for my day,
Hi Elizabeth—so how can we change that? How do we allow for His agenda? I guess being prayerful over the day’s schedule before and during the day. Sometimes I just get so caught up in what must be done!
I love this quote from CS Lewis. I need to read this everyday. Especially since I am a recovering task-a-holic!
It’s hard not to love a CS Lewis quote! Thanks for visiting….
Love the CS Lewis quote. I think with out culture today we have SO many distractions, so many things vying for our time and attention. I know that I have to consciously choose to turn to God first over facebook, email, even the chores of the day. I’d have to agree, pausing and being still before God is a big challenge – but one that I never regret overcoming.
Hi Tiffany–you’re so right—I never regret it. It’s hard—but always worth spending that treasure of time for the greater treasure. Thanks for that reminder and for visiting!
Amy, Mr. Lewis hit the nail right on “my” head…for sure! I also think that doubting that God will handle something that I “think” needs doing or something I hope for. Then I lose the whole and beautiful trust in the Only One Who is trustworthy. My faith falls short…so short.
I am learning this faith and this trust slowly, but surely. I am blessed when I wait upon the Lord. Oh, to do that all of the time.
Hi Linda-I suppose this is the call on our life. To turn to Him and trust Him more and more. I also think it’s a beautiful thing. Can you imagine how beautiful it is to Him? Thanks for visiting, Linda!
Amy,
Great quote and thoughts…It is a constant pausing and re-pausing all day to keep my focus on God and not on everything else which speaks with a loud voice…blessings to you 🙂
Hi Dolly—thanks for stopping by! That pausing and re-pausing is my goal each day…I often get lost. Though they seem messy to me so often, I have to think that those moments must be beautiful to the Lord.
Hey there! I really enjoyed this post! And I wanted to let you know that we are featuring this post at our Weekend Wind Down Link Party tonight at 6pm EST! 😀 Hooray! *throwing confetti in the air* Thanks so much for linking up to the party! Have a great day!
Danielle–thank you so much for featuring it! What a blessing! Thanks for the linkup, stopping by and reading. It all takes time…I appreciate you!
If pausing and seeking the face of God is not the greatest challenge for Christians, it has got to be very close to the top. Choosing to switch off and tune in can be very tough even with the best of intentions.
Hi Gina-thank you for visiting! Why is that? Why is turning our mind toward something else feel as challenging as hard physical labor at times? (sigh)
We must continue to love him with ALL our hearts,souls and minds!!!
I too find my mind is swirling with all that my world beckons me to do,while Jesus is beckoning me to be still before Him and trust, surrender, and worship Him with joyful abandon. I would love for you to share your posts at #100happydays! http:/www.cordof6.com/100-happy-days/
Thank you so much for sharing the great quote from C.S. Lewis and for your thoughts. This is exactly what I need to hear today. I am realizing how much I spend going round and round when all He wants is for me to just listen to Him. Thank you for sharing this. God bless you,
Susan
Thank you for the wonderful quote. So true. I am continually trying to pause through the day and thank God for my blessings and “tune in” more to Jesus and the Word. Thank you and others for letting me know it’s not only me that finds it hard to do some days.
Amy, your thoughts here really resonate with me. Tuning in to Him fist thing in the morning makes such a difference in my day… but my mind is so prone to wander! It’s a daily battle.
Hi Lyli…for some reason I didn’t see your message here! Thanks for stopping by! I long to tune into Jesus more throughout my day. How I long for that!
This hit me square in the face, and it is so true, Amy! Love C.S.’s way of cutting to the chase! Blessings!
Hi Jacqueline….I love C.S. Lewis! Thanks for stopping by!