There is a song that says those words, "Slow Down! You move too fast." And just recently, I heard a minister say that there is a craving in many people’s heart for simplicity, quiet and rest.

Those words truly resonated with me. It seems one of the greatest enemies we are facing in this space and time is busyness. Busyness and distraction.

Every day we are bombarded with noise at every level. Technology is running at a pace that I feel has outrun any human being, especially if you are 65 and older!

A few weeks back, we were at a coffee house chatting with two younger ladies who work in the field of secular counseling, and they were commenting on the same subject. One said it’s impossible to get away from technology because everything depends on it. I sighed and agreed.

And yet, God continues to say: Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10, KJV). Be still and quiet your soul, come away with me... (see Mark 6:31).

He is our only resting place (see Matthew 11:28). He is our perfect peace because He is peace (see Isaiah 26:3). We may seek out quiet places to go to, but soon, someone else or something else intrudes on the quiet place. Finding our sanctuary in Him takes time. Hearing His voice takes practice and patience.

He continues to say: If you seek Me with all your heart, you will find Me (see Jeremiah 29:13).

I wonder how often we are willing to seek Him with all of our hearts? The Bible says that we are in a battle. And we truly are! Everyday there is warfare against our hearts to steal us away from the Lover of our souls. Instead of turning to Him and meditating on His word, we scroll on our phones or turn to a plethora of other vices to get a quick hit of dopamine. Praying has been reduced to menial pleas of help when we are in desperate need of surviving a plight that we got ourselves into. Usually by moving too fast or responding inappropriately to a challenge God had the answer for if we had just taken the time to ask and listen.

Yep, I call it being a "human doing" rather than a "human being." I feel that God is desperately calling us back to Himself. He is longing for us to rely on Him and not our own understanding for without Him we can do nothing (see Proverbs 3:56 & John 15:5).

He tells us that the road to eternal life is narrow and few are they that find it (see Matthew 7:13–14). But what does that mean?

In the MSG translation Matthew 7:13–14 says: Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention."

The meaning of "vigor" is: strong, healthy, energetic and forceful. "Full attention" can be stated as: having utmost capacity. This doesn’t sound like a lukewarm approach to me!

Just think: do you like it when you’re in a relationship with a friend and they’re constantly distracted with their phone? Or if you’re the last person they think about or connect with? That is just not honoring at all!

Let’s consider that we can communicate with the Maker of heaven and earth! The One who has all the answers and knows everything! Not only that, but because of Jesus, we always have direct access to the Father, every minute and every moment of the day! Yet we choose the distractions and shallow things of this life to try and satisfy our souls. It so ludicrous (ridiculously absurd) when you consider the truth of who His is!

So, what actions can we take to remedy this situation? They say that in a fire you should stop, drop, and roll. In God’s kingdom, we can stop, be still, quiet our hearts, drop to our knees, roll our burdens onto Him, and enter His presence until the earthly fires are put out. He says: Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28, Berean Standard Bible). We can let God carry the load; He has every answer we need. But to walk with Him, we must lay down ourselves and fully surrender.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

Help me to choose You above the distraction and enticements of the world. Renew and restore my soul with a fresh infilling of Your grace, mercy and love. Each day, help me to walk in full surrender so that I can experience intimacy with You. Let me learn how to roll every care and burden over on to You so that Your peace prevails in my heart and spirit. Thank You that You love me and have a good plan for my life. Thank You that You are fully trustworthy to guide and to direct my steps each every moment of the day.