Every driver knows the signs along the road. Some mean stop, some mean go, some mean proceed with caution, and others mean slow down because conditions are ripe for you or someone else to be hurt if you don’t. So it is in the journey of life.

Back in June of this year after a busy convention season, my body got tired and it took a while to recover. This is not the first time this has happened, but I have learned to allow myself time to rest when I need it instead of fighting it as I used to do. As I thanked God for keeping me from crashing until after the last convention, I also felt convicted, as God reminded me that, in the midst of the busyness, I had not taken adequate time to spend with Him as I needed. Sure, I prayed and read my Bible on an almost daily basis, but I missed out on sitting in His sweet presence and listening to what He wanted to speak to me. Thankfully God is merciful, and that downtime was what I needed to strengthen my resolve to make myself be still even when I have a list of things I need to accomplish in a short amount of time. After all, my greatest efforts are in vain without Him.

In this modern age of hecticity, I think most of us would define torture as being stuck in a room with nothing to do, and yet God is calling us to slow down, to turn off the various forms of media that consume our waking moments, and take time to be still. He desires our undivided attention so that He can speak to us and guide us as we walk by the way. I am not one who can rise early to fit this in, but I am learning to be creative.

Maybe it’s tuning out the radio and those around me while I’m traveling. Maybe it’s taking some time when there is a lull at a convention instead of talking with my coworkers. You will need to figure out where you can fit the time in. I do know that we tend to find time for the things that are the most important to us. It’s not enough to just sing, “Jesus, You’re my all in all.” Do we really give Him that place in our lives? I hope you will make a concentrated effort to slow down and do that this week. I will be doing the same.