Psalm 55:6
I wish I had wings
like a dove,
so I could fly far away
and be at peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My
pastor probably won’t like this devotional, because his sermon today
was about how we all tend to say, “I’m doing enough already…I
can’t/won’t do anything more,” and we neglect the ministries to which
God has called us. But here’s the thing… some of us are worn smack
out! We’ve let the burdens and weariness of “life” get to us – to the
point that we really are no longer serving God out of a heart for His
ministries, but rather out of a sense of duty or obligation. We are in
essence giving God lip service…and sometimes poorly, at that!
In her Bible study guide Make Over*,
women’s speaker and author Jen Hatmaker asks, “Where do you need to cut
yourself some slack?” She explains…”If you are searching for verses
about working and pleasing God…they exist. But God and His writers
assumed we were already living in grace. It’s ludicrous that
we’d prefer a merit-based relationship after Jesus redeemed us from that
curse. Pleasing God comes after grace, not before. Not one solitary
second before. If that’s you, stop working. You’re better off doing
nothing than trying to earn your grace. Every dance performed to win
God over is wasted.”
Furthermore, some of us are dealing with
some pretty heavy burdens…and we’ve decided that the way to manage them
is to stay busy in ministry and missions. To these people, Hatmaker
says,”God wants wholeness for you first and foremost. If you are
injured, bench yourself and rest in the care of the Healer. Playing
church while wounded not only compromises the team but also delays
healing, making the injury far worse. It is lunacy to think God would
ignore your brokenness and prefer your sacrifices at the risk of your
spiritual health.”
So my question to you today, is “What are you
doing for God…and why?” Have you been dancing like a monkey trying to be
all things to all people…including God Almighty? Are you so worn out
and weary or burdened that you wish you had wings like a dove and could
fly away somewhere? Remember the “Calgon, take me away…” commercials?
Are you in need of a spiritual “Calgon moment?”
I’ve got a word
for you...it may be time for many of us to take a little “spiritual
vacation”. I’m not suggesting that we quit going to church…put our
Bibles on the shelf…or stop talking to God. I didn’t say you should
cancel all ministries and mission projects and sit home and watch
reality TV. But it may be time for us to step back and spend some quiet,
“alone time” with God…to almost literally do nothing and just listen
for His voice…to spend a few hours combing the scriptures and
discovering what God really wants from us…to ask Him how, when and where
to serve Him – and then really wait on His answer!
Everywhere
you turn this time of year, people are taking “summer vacations” and
“getting away from it all” to rest, relax and rejuvenate. Could it be
that you need a little “vacation” of sorts to get you back on track
spiritually? You don’t need the wings of a dove…or even a faraway place
in which to discover God’s peace. All you need is a quiet corner, a
comfortable place to sit, your Bible, and an open heart and mind. Are
you ready for your spiritual “Calgon moment”? What are you waiting
for? This could be the most restful “vacation” you ever take!
©2014 Debbie Robus
*http://jenhatmaker.com/books.htm
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