Inspiration and truth this morning from Dallas Willard, a wonderful man who loved Jesus and embraced a rhythm of life that was unhurried and lived in God’s presence daily, in the midst of the demands of life.
This is NOT easy, and most of the time a struggle. But worth it? Absolutely. I find that when I am being intentional about anything, there is an automatic feeling of “swimming against the current”. It is so easy to not be intentional. It’s what happens when you’re simply breezing through life.
But Jesus has not called us to a life of unintentionality. Something I’ve been pondering a lot lately were the rhythms that Jesus embraced on His days on earth. He chose to practice masonry up until His ministry began at age 30. He was working with His hands, as Paul encouraged the Thessalonians to do. Working hard. Learning. Serving. Preparing. Mot likely spending a lot of time in God’s presence as He did these things. And when He began His ministry, He began to be surrounded by people and needs most of His waking hours. Jesus began teaching and training His disciples, healing people, meeting their needs, encountering enemies, etc. But, the one rhythm we are consistently told of in the Gospels is that He frequently withdrew to quiet places to be with His Father.
Now, if Jesus, the Son of God, needed to do this, why on earth do I so often feel like I don’t need to? Don’t get me wrong, every morning, I wake early before our kids, brew some instant coffee (don’t judge…), and I spend time in the Word of God. But often times, I don’t COMMUNE with God – it’s like I eat a scrap of bread and call it good for my soul. No, I believe Jesus was completely satisfying Himself in God His Father. Basking in His presence, remembering His identity, His mission, asking the Father for wisdom, pouring out His heart, grounding Himself in truth.
That’s a bit different than my scrap of bread – which leaves me hungry, and more susceptible to filling up on lesser foods later on when I’m hungry.
Jesus arranged His days so that He would experience deep contentment/joy/confidence in our everyday life with God. I am challenged to take this on and figure this out with a husband, 5 kids, a dog, 12 chickens and a small farm, being a homeschooling mom and cultivating community through our household. In faith, I believe the Lord will lead me. And I know He’ll lead you, dear reader.
Life is too short on this earth to live our lives ragged and worn out because we’re neglecting this in our apprenticeship to Jesus. The world will preach self care, self help, a spa day, or self love to you. Let’s cut through that fluff and stand on the truth that time communing with our Heavenly Dad is where it’s truly at.
Just some thoughts from my heart to yours.