Push The Pause Button

We stop driving when the light turns red - or at least we are supposed to. We pause at the stop sign at the intersection….yeah, you know the one that just gets the pause. We stop and count to ten when we get angry. Or take three deep breaths. Sometimes, a moment strikes us and we even stop to say a quick “Thank you, God” in the moment of sudden gratitude. But, friend, when was the last time you took pause in His presence? 

This week in my verse of the day, I read Exodus 33:15. I read it and found it interesting that Moses spoke so boldly to God. Not in a rude way, but in a more intimate way. So I backed up a verse and read verse 14 along with it. 

Exodus 33:14-15 “And he said, “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” And he said to him, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.”

I immediately thought “Wow! God is promising rest, and Moses is recognizing that it can only be found in His presence.” And then I had another thought: Why don’t we pause in His presence more often if that is where peace is found?  

Aren’t we told to “be still” and “wait” several times in the Bible? I can think of a few.

Psalm 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God…”

Psalm 37:7 “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;”

Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take corsage; wait for the Lord!”

Isaiah 40:31 “but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;”

As I pointed out in the beginning, we “stop” and “wait” for everyday things all the time. Sometimes those moments, like the breath of a prayer, can change the whole day. In that moment, we step into His presence. It only takes that long! 

Just like changing anything in our lives, it takes intentional effort. Maybe as intentional as setting alarms on your phone! Can you think of a few times a day you can regularly pause for a moment of peace? It sounds so wonderful that I WANT to find the time. For me, I think making it a part of my morning routine, a section of time around lunch, and the end of my day seems to set me up for success. Some people don’t have the luxury of a squared off routine like me, so maybe you spend a longer amount of time with Him in the morning or at the end of the day. 

What a beautiful time it is to just be able to sit with the Father and spend quality time with Him! I hope that you are regularly doing this. What does our ideal time with God look and sound like? My sister used to live in a house with a big bright window. I would imagine sitting in a big comfy chair with a blanket and a warm cup of coffee or tea on the table beside me. Big, well loved Bible in my lap, stack of reference books or devotional books next to me. Just a cozy and quiet time with me and God. When do I get this? Well, never THIS perfect scene, but I can get as close to it as possible. Maybe yours is in the woods or by a lake, on the beach or in a library-like scene? If you have to, schedule it! If you have kids, maybe you and a friend can swap the kids and each take an hour alone! 

I hope that this has you thinking and longing for that time with Him. It is so necessary even though it feels like a luxury. Sometimes all you get is that breath of a moment here and there. But even that can bring peace. Let it wash over you next time before the next breath and remember that it is a promised, loving, gift from God. 

God, help us take the time - large and small - to spend time in you word. Wash us with your peace each time and let us feel you there with us in all the moments. We love you and want more of you. Amen.