Just breathe…
Jimmy Buffett sang it best…
“According to my watch the time is now, The past is dead and gone, Don’t try to shake it just nod your head. Breathe in, Breathe out, Move on.”
This weekend I had two beautiful days of no work and good times with good friends. After the first day, I was just content to be. My mind was settled and my heart found a peace that only God can provide. I was content to drive around for over an hour with my new best friend just trying to find our way around Orlando. There was no pressure to be anywhere at any certain time. It was just time to breathe.
In the last 3 days, I have worked 28 hours and been to all of my classes. I find myself longing for that time to just breathe. Now in the middle of an insanely busy week, I’m taking time to rest and breathe.
Breathe in: I have so much ”stuff” cluttering my life
Breathe out: God’s in the business of dealing with the little things
Breathe in: I don’t know about my future
Breathe out: But I believe in a God who does
Breathe in: Relationships are a tricky thing
Breathe out: God’s is blessing my relationships when I turn them over to him
Breathe in: I need a career
Breathe out: God has a position just for me
Breathe in: I need — I need — I need
Breathe out: I’m so incredibly thankful
On Sunday morning before we left Orlando, my friend took time to breathe. We watched a plane writing messages in the sky. The last one said “Trust Jesus.” He noted that God just used the writing in the sky to speak to him. We were just taking time to breathe.
I’m breathing in the presence of God. I’m not looking to fight my way through life anymore. We talked about it in church a couple weeks ago. The word “Selah” is used in Psalms. I did some research on it. It means “stop and listen” It refers to a holy pause. Some believe it has simply has to do with a pause in music. But I read the writings of David is Psalms. When he took time for “Selah” his attitude changed. His thoughts were altered. His focus was shifted from himself to the things of God.
Selah.
I have found no rest more satisfying or replenishing than when I rest in the arms of my loving God.
The -er factor..
As I was watching MTV, I realized the introduction to MADE is probably the best reference to what my generation is about.
We all wanna be faster, stronger, cooler, thinner, fattter, taller, shorter, smarter, richer, closer…. better
I like to think of it as the -er factor. It’s was drives us to change our habits and lifestyles. Whatever our current state is, we always want to be one step further.
The blog address actually came from this idea. LiveLouder. I remember in high school all the Christians wanted to “Live out loud.” I want to live loud. I want my life to have a voice and I want that voice to be heard. I want that voice to be a voice that’s God given. I don’t just want it to be loud. I want it to be louder.
Louder than the static the rest of world can bring. Louder than the fakers, the cynics, the opposers and the critics. I want it to be louder than my fear and speak out in faith. Loud enough to shake the planet.
I can be louder by allowing God to speak. My voice is nothing more than a squeak. But God’s voice is the one that calms the storms. With his voice he created the heavens and the earth, and with that same voice, he called out to me.
I want to live louder, grow stronger, be smarter, draw closer, stand taller, and listen better. After falling harder, I want to get up faster. I want to be better until I become my best…..
On a small side note, I would like to ask for a moment of silence for Rufus. My nephew learned of the death of his beloved beta fish last night. Unfortunately, Blake didn’t understand why it was Rufus’ time to go, and he was really torn up by the fact we flushed him down the toilet. He couldn’t even watch. Rest in peace in the big blue sea, Rufus.
