Have you ever watched a movie in fast forward? Sometimes that is how I live my life. People are running like maniacs, cars are moving at high-speed chase speeds, words are mouthed wildly but not heard and people pass by each other, like ghosts in the night.
It’s a hectic place, a place full of to-do’s, will-do’s and should do’s.
It’s doesn’t run at a sit-down pace; it’s more of a you-better move-it-along place.
I can’t even tell you why I have made it into such a race – other than, that is my normal pace.
Yet, I am noticing, a busy heart,
doesn’t sit down so well with a still God.
Have you ever noticed this?
When our eyes are so busy watching the mayhem, the commotion, the movement, the loudness, the TV, the schedule, the hours, the children, the laundry, the job and the bills the small whispers from God tend to go, like a paper airplane right over our head. They were sent, they were apparent, but we were so in our own moment – we missed them – we missed him.
We can’t hear.
We don’t seek.
We won’t find.
If we do, it is often ushered away by lunchtime.
Mt:7:7: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Is someone at that door? I will complete this dishwasher job and then see who it was?
I am struck by the idea that we can’t find what we never looked for.
We can’t be touched by what frantic days block us from seeing.
We can’t be changed if we are running so fast gentle nudges of God fly by with the wind.
Sure, we think, “If we are in the Word, we will be of the Word.” Yes, but not always. Our mind may hold fast in the morning hour, but completely lose touch by lunch hour. The word sits on fresh soil only to be washed away by the mayhem of problems later. Our feet stand on the rock, only to move to quicksand at days end.
How do we get past this cycle of distraction,
this wheel that has no end,
this tiring race of life?
3 Ways:
1. We follow this equation: Every minute + Every day = God First (always)
If we seek God above all, all will be added onto us. Mt. 6:33
If every day is founded and set “in belief”, imagine what the structures of our day might look like?
2. We see God above iPhones, iPads, iBooks, me, myself and I.
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jer. 29:13
If we truly open our eyes, God will stagger us with a vision of him.
3. We begin to see that not knowing or understanding does not equal:
– not having it together
– not having a way out
– not being smart
– not having a plan.
Not knowing = the way TO a straight path.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Prov. 3:5-6
When we realize we don’t understand, we are getting to the beginning of wisdom.
The posture of our heart, will predict the progress of our day. It will determine how much of Savior we funnel into our days.
Let’s funnel even more.
As we open the door of our heart in bigger ways to these 5 R’s,
we will create more space for our big God to pass through:
1. Release. Let go to find he grabs hold. God is never a catch and release type, every time he catches and keeps. He understands that the best fisherman love to take home their catch.
2. Reliance. Choose to walk in humility instead of futility. Step over the cliff of safety, God will catch you.
3. Renewal. Ask, seek, knock (repeat). Then, find.
4. Reality. God is the only truth, not your perception of the world, not your summations, not others predictions. Soak in his presence, his life, and his love.
5. Recognition. Praise him in the sanctuary, which is your heart. Praise him continually.
Break through the white noise of these steps, breakthrough the normalcy, breakthrough the tendency to say, “I know those already.” The truth is – that mentality is what keeps you back – from him.
Think of these words and how they apply afresh to your day.
Then, when we breakthrough arrogance, busyness and complacency, we will find our first love, Jesus.
Then, we can offer our whole self for the one who already did.
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Kelly,
“A busy heart doesn’t sit down well with a still God.” Amen. I love this. May I quote you in an upcoming post of mine? This pretty much hits the nail on the head! Great and much needed post!
Blessings,
Bev
Absolutely Bev. Much love!
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WOW Kelly you just spoke from my heart! I have been feeling overwhelmed recently and allowing my to-do list control the pace of my life and have recognized I am rushing through ‘tasks’ and not just being still :/
I need to put ‘sit still’ on my to-do list!!! Thank you friend 😀
I know how that feels. In the stillness we find our real charge to go.
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I love your 5 R’s, Kelly! And yes, I’ve been so burdened lately by this. I not only want to make sure I am putting God above everything else, but I want my 15-year-old son to see that we MUST be intentional about putting God first – in real, tangible ways. We cannot just ‘want’ to, but we have to take practical steps each day to make that happen. If not, we get sucked right back into our iPhones, TV, etc. Lord, help us to follow these 5 R’s, and help our kids see us as an example of what it means to truly put you first every day.
Thanks Kristine. Yes, Lord, help us to put you first in all ways.
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Kelly, I love your 5 R’s. May we remember to still our hearts before God so that we may hear from Him. Such a needed reminder as the slower days of summer come to a close. Always good to join you!
I so agree Joanne. God is speaking stillness and patience as we ramp up.
Very thought-provoking and God-exalting words today! Thanks for your post and for hosting us at your site.
Thank you Michele. May you be full of wonder as you keep your eyes on your Savior.
Oh so true, Kelly. Oh so true…
Love you Kristi!
Busy-ness of heart makes quiet time crowded doesn’t it, Kelly ? The 5 R’s above, are worth remembering and the one that stands out is Reality, for me, for many reasons. Mostly, though, the reality of His Truth… always trumping mine… it is the key to the rest. When he becomes my reality, then time slips away because moments with God are timeless. Moments stopping the busy mundane become time full of the real purposeful things that increase faith and multiply the time in my day exponentially. It is never wasted when we stop and pause and let Him find us as we escape the hectic that the day has waiting. Great reminders!
Thank you for faithfully hosting a link-up each week and encouraging others to cheer one another on.
Blessings!
Dawn
How right you are! I love that idea of it making quiet time crowded. Too cool.
Kelly,
In Beth Moore’s Believing God, she states, “If the devil doesn’t destroy you, he will distract you. Look at your calendar.”
Indeed! Distracted, busy, too busy. Someone told me recently the definition for busy.
Busy = Burdened Under Satan’s Yoke.
Oh!
Great words from Beth, of course! Such great insight.
Thanks for this encouragement this morning, Kelly. I’m going to turn off my computer right now (AFTER I tweet this post) and go sit down with God. I love what you say about how the “I already know this” attitude actually keeps us from God. Oh, Lord, help us to learn stillness before you!
Turn it off and get your God-fill. Love that Betsy.
Kelly- Love this! We have to be intentional to eliminate distractions when possible and seek Him above all things. In stillness and rest we find Him. Thank you!
Yes. He wants us to find complete renewal. Let’s go there Karen!
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Kelly, I LOVE this. It is exactly what God has been speaking to my heart over the past couple of weeks. It is so easy to get caught up in the hurry but I don’t want to hurry past God. I want to soak in his presence and make every moment about HIM. Thanks for this reminder today. Love you and your heart!
God is so kind to unrush is, isn’t he Abby? Feel so blessed by him and you.
Isn’t it so true that the “posture of our heart” predicts the progression of our days. Sometimes it’s easy to forget to live in the stillness. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you Brenda! Be still and know that he is God.
Beautiful words Kelly! My busy heart and mind keeps me from what is most important and this is God. Your 5 R’s are the perfect way to make room for and stay connected to God. Blessings!
YAY! Let’s make more room, Mary. Thank you so much for your reflection.
Great post, Kelly! Your words here are so true! That intimate GOD first time is so desperately needed every single day. I find peace in HIS PRESENCE every morning and no matter what happens during the day, I can reflect back to that time with HIM and draw in that very same peace. … So grateful to visit with you today! I’ve missed you, sweet friend! Peace and many blessings to you, Love! 🙂
Tai, I know you are so good about this. I love your approach and I love you.
Ah yes, I understand this frantic pace. Thank you for this post Kelly. Yes, this, “The posture of our heart, will predict the progress of our day. It will determine how much of Savior we funnel into our days.”
Let’s slow down and let him take the lead. He SO has us. How wonderful is that?
My heart has definitely been way too busy this summer. As much as I hate to see its warmth begin to wane and the feel of fall’s arrival, I’m thankful for a new schedule and a peaceful cadence to my days! I need His quiet reassurance of love.
He loves us, oh how he loves us. If we listen, we will hear. Let’s listen Meg! yay!
Great encouragement for my heart today, Kelly. I’m in an insanely busy season as we are unpacking a new house of 15 years worth of boxes – busyness is all around me. It’s hard to find stillness these days – it’s hard to remember what it even looks like. But God nudges me to choose Him over the rest and when I do that, I find Him – that is what I’m grateful for today. Thank you for your words today. xo
Yes! Yes! Choose Him Tiffany! Cheering you.
Kelly,
Yes: We can’t be changed if we are running so fast gentle nudges of God fly by w the wind. Thanks 🙂 Praying blessings on you and your day 🙂
How true that is Dolly. Blessings to you dear one.
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“The posture of our heart, will predict the progress of our day” is good to consider. I have to ask myself is my posture – alert for what God will do in my day, being lazy, humble, defensive? Thanks for helping me think about where my heart will lead me today.
You bet, let’s go where he is ready to bring us, Rachel. Have a great day.
A great word for today, Kelly! I was struck by the quote on your opening image and had to read on. The 5 Rs are a great reminder too!
Thank you Kristen. I am so glad you read on!
Kelly, oh how true these words are. It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. I know I am just as guilty as the next person. The should do, could do, need to do lists so often get in the way. I want to take time for God. I love your suggestions about putting him first. I need to remember that. I love how in Scripture we hear “Be still and know that I am God!” But in order for us to know that, we must first stop wiggling around and just simply be still!
You are right. We must be still. He loves our intentional heart that just gets alone with him. Thanks Tara.
I’m learning to live more intentional – it slows the day down – and it’s where I find him:) Your post is a strong reminder to do that!
Let’s get alone and get some God-time! Thank you for your comment.
A busy heart, doesn’t sit down so well with a still God. -> this is just so so so true!
God is in the quiet and we can’t really listen closely to His voice if we’re preoccupied.
Lux, he waits. Let’s answer! You are so right, he is in the quiet. He just waits to be found.
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I rally love the wisdom in these words, really truth that we all know but stumble in when we let busyness and modern life get in the way. I love the way you break it down into practical applications too. Thank you
Thank you Florence. Let’s walk in faith and away from the hustle.
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Yes, my dear friend. If the evil one cannot make us fall away into a life of sin, he will surely keep us so busy doing good that we have no time to connect with the Father – the souce of life and all truth.
Much love,
Kamea
xxxxx
He cannot. He can try. We are overcomers in Christ.
Yes! You know this post is near and dear to my heart. Slow down Christy…God is waiting for you. You can’t find what you never looked for. It’s so worth the effort. Love you girl!
Love you! He has you and you bless me with your comments.
It is so challenging to sit still and listen in today’s busy world. But when we do and we take the time to dwell in His presence, He reveals so much, you’ll want to always go back that place. Thanks for this important reminder. So glad I found your blog!
I agree. God is found behind the charade called life.
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