Stop!

“When Jesus heard him, he stopped.” Luke 18:40 NLT

Is there room in your schedule for interruptions? One author wrote, “Jesus stopped when people needed help. He saw interruptions as opportunities to show God’s love. Woe to those who are so busy saving the world that they ignore the perceived interruptions of those in need. Like the Good Samaritan, we should be ready to stop for someone who’s hurting. ‘Whoever…sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart…how does the love of God abide in him?’ (1 John 3:17 NKJV). When Jesus acted out of love, people recognized ‘God…at work among them’ (Luke 7:16 MSG).” Chuck Swindoll wrote, “The One who said, ‘Be still, and know that I am God’ (Psalm 46:10) must hurt when He witnesses our frantic, compulsive, agitated motions. In place of a quiet, responsive spirit, we offer Him an inner washing machine—churning with anxiety…activity…resentment and impatience. But you can change. Here’s how. Admit it. Acknowledge that you’re too busy and something must be done—NOW. I did that recently, and through tears my family and I cleared some bridges the thorns had overgrown. Stop it. Starting today, refuse every activity that isn’t absolutely necessary. Sound ruthless? So is the clock. So is your health…Quit feeling so important. They’ll find somebody else to sit on the committee…or they’ll wise up and adopt a better plan. Maintain it. It is easy to start fast and fade quickly. Paul told the Galatians, ‘You were running…well. Who…held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God…he is the one who called you to freedom’ (Galatians 5:7-8 NLT). Share it. Once you start gleaning the benefits from reordering your priorities…tell other ‘activity-addicts.’ They’d love to stop—if they only knew how.”

Bible in a year: Isaiah 47-49 and Colossians 1