Coming Up for Air: Time to Pause
It’s mid-March and I am not sure how I got here. I have been running on fumes since Christmas. After two trips to Colorado to help my daughters during my grandson’s surgery, I came down with a virus and bronchitis that lasted for weeks (the cough is still a nuisance). I am finally coming up for air.
Can you relate?
Coming Up for Air
Jesus says, Come to a quiet place and rest. That’s the whole idea behind Sabbath—pressing the pause button and coming up for air.
There are times I need to say, enough is enough. Take the day off. Hideout for an hour. Discover a way to refresh my soul.
God gives me permission to rest. He thinks it’s a good idea. And, I am learning—there is wisdom in that. So I need to give myself permission to unplug and power down.
Besides, If Jesus took time alone with His Father to refresh, I need it too.
The whole idea behind Sabbath—pressing the pause button and #ComingUpForAir. #PausingRetreat Click To Tweet
Pressing Pause Can be Difficult
Instead of coming up for air, I can wrestle, thinking:
Just one more thing.
I’ll finish this first.
What will people think?
And, I talk myself into running the gauntlet and miss the opportunity to be refilled. I know this well—I lived like it for years.
I am learning that life goes in cycles:
Rest, Renew, Go Forward, and Repeat.
Life's Healthy Rhythm is: Rest, Renew, Go Forward, & Repeat. #ComingUpForAir #PausingWorks Click To Tweet
I’m finding that rhythm and being okay with it. Maybe I am seeing growth in this area. For years I ran the burn-out cycle and I don’t want to go back there. I can’t accomplish anything in my own strength so I need the power that God provides.
And provide, He did. I had two speaking engagements in March and even though I haven’t felt up to my normal self, God empowered me to accomplish every bit. But it took being intentional about getting the rest I needed and depending on Him.
Taking a time-out needs to be intentional.
My first ‘time-out’ was at the local boat launch. I got the kids on the bus, put dinner in the slow cooker, drove out to the lake and sat there for the morning. I sketched, wrote in my journal, people watched, and talked to God.
I felt like a new person when I got home.
I remember thinking, why don’t I do this more often?
Life Will Always Be Calling Us To Engage
Life’s distractions will always be going on—but I need to make the decision to press the pause button once in a while so that I can re-orient my head and my heart so I can handle what’s coming next. This clears the clutter in my head and lifts the weight off my shoulders. This is the reason I am hosting a Pausing Retreat this fall.
Life’s distractions will always be there—I need to make the decision to press the #pause button once in a while. #Unplug Click To Tweet
The Pausing for R & R (Rest & Renewal) Retreat
I’m busy.
You’re busy.
Life is busy. Crazy actually.
And refreshing our soul needs to be a priority. If you’re like me, you continue putting it off. But I am inviting you to come…use the time to refresh, revive and reconnect with God’s heart by coming up for air – and receiving a fresh wind from the Holy Spirit.
I found the perfect spot on the coast of Connecticut and I can’t wait to share it with you. Register by April 1st and receive the early bird discount.
Here is the link for more info about the Pausing for R & R Retreat:
Pause with me on September 12-15, 2019
Now’s the time to plan your getaway!
Tell me some ways you like to unplug and come up for air in the comments below. I’d love to share your ideas in a future post.
Tell me some ways you like to unplug. I'd love to share your ideas in a future post. #ComingUpForAir #Pausing Click To Tweet
Jeanne
Need a getaway? To think? To reconnect with God? Join me for the Pausing Retreat Click To Tweet
Subscribe and receive my blog posts by email
Want to receive posts like this by email, Subscribe Here and enjoy my gift of a mini word study. And, you can get Lisa Joy’s beautiful handcrafted coloring page.
For devotional and Bible study materials (including my video study in John 15) be sure to Visit my Downloads Page for Resources.
Gifts to help this ministry are not tax-deductible
Resources for you from Amazon
(I am an affiliate and receive a small percentage when you order anything through one of my links. This helps me with ministry resources).
I love your phrase, “God gives us permission to rest.” I expect every reader is thinking–YES! I know I’m saying it! Why do we push ourselves so hard? I catch myself saying (as you do), “one more thing…” and it turns into another and another. Love the idea of your Pause Retreat. I know everyone will benefit. Thank you for your remember to rest–I’m working on it! Praying God will continue to guide your rest and renewal.
Thanks for stopping by, Katherine. I do think this is a universal human problem. Why else would Jesus have been so specific about coming apart by ourselves? Busyness is draining us dry. And rest is the remedy.