Waves

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Luke 5:16

Our family recently took a week off. We didn't plan to go anywhere, but wanted to have the flexibility to take "day trips" in the area. One day of our staycation we drove up to the shore of Lake Michigan in Eastport to enjoy the beach and take in a sunset. As I relaxed under an umbrella in my beach chair I observed our kids trying to body surf in the waves. They would continuously rise and break until arriving at the beach like a spilled can of Sprite. The children would see a wave coming, turn towards the shore, and try to let it carry them along in the water. No sooner had it passed them than another wave was upon them ready to repeat the trip.

Watching the waves endlessly propel the kids leads me to think of many of our schedules. Seems we are just wrapping up one project, event, or activity and another one is right there behind it ready to lift us and carry us along with it. Just like the waves on the lake there seems to be no break from the never-ending parade of activities. With the waves of activities, it can be very difficult to find time for a break. 

The Bible tells us that Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Sometimes he would go up a mountain. Other times he would walk through a garden. But He made a habit of taking time for rest and restoration. And if the Son of God needed to take time away from the busyness of life, how much more should we? 

Here are 5 tips to help you stop the waves and create a lonely place for yourself to recharge and reconnect with God.

• Unplug. Disconnect from the technology. Turn off your cell phone. Turn off the television. Turn off the radio. They'll leave a message. Relax. 
• Mobilize. Go for a walk, take a jog, or go for a drive. Do something that involves your whole body. Jesus hiked up mountains when he took quiet time. Move that body!
• Make Time Stand Still. Ignore the clock. This may not be possible every time you take quiet time with God, but when it is, leave your watch at home. Let yourself know, "This isn't timed."
• Brain Dump. How do you do that?! Take a note pad and as things pop in your head that you need to do, jot them down. That allows your mind to let them go. You won't forget them. They are written down. Tell your mind "it's okay" to release your "To Do list" for a later time. 
• Reconnect. After you've unplugged, got moving, stopped worrying about the clock, and cleared out your mind, then reconnect with God, your father. Pray out loud to Him. Read scriptures. Memorize verses. 

Interestingly, once the sun set over Lake Michigan, the waves subsided. It seems even the lake was taking a rest from it's busy churning and tossing of the day. All of God's creation was made to take a break from time to time. When will you take yours?