A Renewed Life

He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Psalm 23:2-3

EXHAUSTION IS BECOMING the new normal in our culture. It’s almost a badge of honor these days to talk about how busy you are, how much you have to do, and how tired you are from trying to stay on top of it all. Our busyness is killing us.

It’s not that we necessarily enjoy being ridiculously overscheduled; it’s that we don’t see a way out of the madness. We drift into unhealthy ways of thinking and living. We aren’t intentional enough about how we use our time. We aim for that elusive thing called balance, forgetting that there are biblical rhythms of work and rest that, if adhered to, can keep us going without burning out. Perhaps worst of all, we forget that God invites us to find rest in Him whenever and wherever we need it. We are not on our own. He is with us to guide us, strengthen us, and give us rest.

Any progress we make in learning to slow down and live in a sane and sustainable way will ultimately occur as we look to our Shepherd to guide us. In order for that to happen, though, we must be intentional about setting aside some time without distractions to focus on Him. We can’t afford to believe the lie that we don’t have time to meet with the Lord in quiet, unrushed Bible reading and prayer. When we take time for God, we experience His peace, and it can set the tone for the entire day.

BOTTOM LINE

We can experience peace and renewal as we learn to slow down, spend time with the Lord, and let Him guide us. Ask Him to help you learn to rest.

Moment of Strength: Psalm 23