URGENT! (Says Who?!)
by Tonja Taylor For we who have believed (adhered to and trusted in and relied on God) do enter that rest, in accordance with His declaration that those [who did not believe] should not enter when He said, As I swore in My wrath, They shall not enter My rest; and this He said although [His] works had been completed and prepared [and waiting for all who would believe] from the foundation of the world.--Hebrews 4:3, AMPC Whether something is "urgent" or not, is a matter of opinion, I've learned. After decades of running and rushing and being either mildly or deeply traumatized (which is always a tool of the devil, to destroy; to use shock value and unexpected negatives to get our minds off God and onto ourselves and wrong circumstances, etc.!), I have finally learned to truly start resting in the LORD. He actually commands us to rest, and He has personally told me and led me to rest many times. I am sure that has kept me from going into the hospital from exhaustion! Hallelujah! He loves us much more than any performance. Hallelujah! There is a timing with everything in God, and if we miss it, He will be gracious to restore what needs to be restored. Overall, going by human time (for God is outside of time). Rushing, emergencies, urgency--those are all connected to care, and (I now know), care is connected to fear. The LORD has not given us the spirit of fear. Fear is not of God! Through Him you believe in (adhere to, rely on) God, Who raised Him up from the dead and gave Him honor and glory, so that your faith and hope are [centered and rest] in God.--I Peter 1:21, AMPC The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus came that we might have life, and more abundantly! (John 10:10). Abundant life includes rest--peace--including rest from pressure-filled thoughts. Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]--John 14:27, AMPC The LORD, Who teaches us His ways when we desire it--and, in fact, is the One Who gives us the desire to learn His ways! (Phil. 2:13). He has helped me learn to rest; to wait on Him; to not move suddenly when something or someone in the world is insisting I do. For instance, yesterday, I received an email of tutoring jobs marked "URGENT". I already have tutoring jobs, and have been seeking the LORD about doing more writing and less tutoring. When these came through, I was thankful the LORD had delivered me from allowing the pressure of what others say is "urgent"--and I did not reply to the email. Instead, I asked the LORD what He thought about it. I believe He was very pleased that, instead of responding to the "URGENT" request for tutors (and, this email was addressed to me specifically), I stopped and asked my Daddy--Who is the Ancient of Days, the Great I AM, the Wisdom of the Ages, Who knows all things--what He thought about it. Breakthrough! He's the One Who has taught me to ask Him to help me think spirituallly; to stay in peace; to seek His opinion first. Praise Him! May I, by His help, remember to do that with everything, for these are the last of the last days, and King Jesus is returning very soon! We must be found fulfilling why we are on the planet, and it's much deeper than just going about our daily routine. The LORD will help us. He leads us in right paths. So, if anything is "URGENT," it is taking time to listen to the LORD, which often involves rest. "Rest" can mean many things to many people; a nap; a leisurely bath; playing sports; doing art; gardening; cooking; taking a walk; worshiping; reading the Word in a quiet, private place; or something else. The most important part of rest is to be able to get away from the pressures of life and be able to commune with--and especially to hear--the voice of the LORD. I believe it was Susanna Wesley, mother of the great preacher, John Wesley, who had at least 8 children, and was known to throw her apron over her head to have a moment of privacy with the LORD, while being surrounded by her kids. The LORD will help us. He is very gentle and kind, and does not pressure us. He knows our hearts, and He knows our circumstances. He is good! You could choose to ask the LORD to start helping you remember to ask Him to help you understand which things are "URGENT" and which are not. He will. You can totally lean on Him, the Good Shepherd (Psalm 23), to lead you in right paths; the paths best for you and your family, forever! 1 The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. 2 He makes me lie down in [fresh, tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. 3 He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.--Psalm 23:1-3, AMPC
Through books, courses, presentations, service, prayer, worship, and more, Tonja and her husband live to exalt God. Her series for girls, P.O.W.E.R. GIRL ADVENTURES, is now out (books I-V), along with LEGACY; YOUR HOLY HEALTH: VISIONS OF THE KING, and more. See the "River Rain Creative" YT channel. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |
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