Slowing Down
This past
weekend I had the privilege to attend a leadership training retreat provided by
the Disciple Making Department from Hmong New Hope English Ministry. It
was a deeply needed retreat and I gained so much insight in going. Our guest
speaker, Dr. Howard, professor of Ministry Leadership and Spiritual Formation
at Toccoa Falls College, captivated my attention and truly helped guide us into
re-aligning our lives back to God.
“If a church culture can be shaped in which all parties see
the others as helpless sinners saved by grace and growing in Christ even as
they still struggle and learn, a corporate attitude of humility and hope in God
can grow. We do well to imagine all our brothers and sisters on crutches
and in bandages --- perhaps even on life support. And we do well to look
in the mirror and see the same.”
This
weekend was about slowing down.
A lot of
times we find ourselves living “busy” lives, having “busy” schedules and
“millions upon millions” of tasks to accomplish. Exhaustion and busyness are two of the most destructive qualities affecting our spiritual life and our ministry. This weekend
really made me re-think my philosophy of time management and prioritizing. I am a planner addict, to-do list fanatic and
organizing freak by heart but this weekend really made me realize that I need
to slow down, declutter my mind and truly enjoy the time and life that God has
blessed me with.
When we
tell people that we are busy, it shows that we do not have time for
others. Instead, think of other
alternatives and approaches when speaking to others. One thing about Jesus is that he was never in
a hurry and never busy. I mean, I’m
pretty sure that Jesus was a VERY busy man but he was always intentional and
relational towards everyone. Jesus may
have had a full and packed schedule, with things to do and places to go, but He
never told anyone and he always made time for others.
Jesus is
a beautiful model of how I should live my life.
Challenge:
I am going to dedicate one day per week to just relax. I
challenge you to do the same as well.
Declutter your life from all the unnecessary baggage, worrying and
stress in your life. Find your day of rest. Rely on the Lord to
reveal Himself to you and to really realign your life with His.
Take a deep breath.
Slow down. Shalom.
aw, love this!
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