Originally published Friday, 05 May 2017.
Good Morning, Friends. I know that recently I’ve only been posting on Wednesday’s to study Jeremiah, but I decided to go off schedule and give a word of encouragement for your weekend. I have a reason.
Some days just don’t turn out the way we expect them. Without going into the entire story and crafting this into more words than it needs to be, yesterday was an unexpected day. Long story short: I had a doctor’s appointment, he decided I needed a cortisone shot, I had a reaction to the medicine, and about five minutes after receiving the injection I passed out cold. Ugh!
But let’s take a step back so I can tell you that the morning leading up to that moment wasn’t my greatest. My husband insisted on accompanying me to the appointment. In my small mind, I thought that was a really dumb idea. I should probably say that I didn’t want to see the doctor about a silly shoulder injury. I thought for sure I could power through and that there was probably nothing wrong at all. Not the case. I have a minor injury that needs some attention. However, my actions were not the kindest towards Paul because he was the one who insisted I take time out of my busy schedule to see a doctor. He wants me to feel better… the nerve!
Why do we allow busyness to dictate our actions and behaviors?
It’s not that I mind being busy. Lord knows I’ve brought most of what I do on myself voluntarily. But here’s what I’ve noticed: there is a test in the middle of the busy, every day happenings of life. I’ll be honest and tell you that yesterday morning I didn’t pass. Paul told me he wanted to come to my appointment to make sure I was alright. Instead of accepting his kindness, I complained I had to go in the first place and didn’t think he needed to waste time waiting in a physician’s office just because I had to be there.
Aren’t you glad God is atemporal? He isn’t limited by the confines of time. And with all my heart, I think He’s calling us to look up from our calendars so we don’t miss the moments He’s designed especially for us. We operate on a 24/7 schedule with full planners and little room for change. When we need to switch something around, guilt takes the driver’s seat. Listen, it’s okay to be busy and stick to schedules. However, it’s not okay to become so imprisoned by what we need to accomplish in a day that our mood shifts and we aren’t able to see what God wants us to achieve. If we aren’t careful, full schedules have a way of making us into control freaks leaving little room for God to work.
I ended up having to spend almost the entire day in bed yesterday, unscheduled. I wasn’t happy about any of it until I began seeing the fingerprints of God on my situation. I had an injury that needed diagnosed, I wasn’t alone because my husband was there when the medication triggered a reaction, and I needed some rest that I wouldn’t have otherwise given myself.
This weekend, take some deep breaths. Consider deviating from the schedule and filling some space with family and friends. Make memories and share stories. Do something that you want to do and be intentional about not allowing guilt to suffocate your choices. Plans are meant to change, and sometimes it’s because God has a divine appointment waiting.
And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.
-Mark 6:31
In the above scripture, Jesus and the disciples were busy ministering. Jesus decided they needed a place to rest, so they got in a boat planning to go to a deserted place. Guess what? The multitudes followed and Jesus was moved to compassion for them. The disciples at first wanted to send them away but Jesus had a feeding miracle in mind. The disciples had their own plans, but Jesus had a divine appointment waiting. Even before the existence of calendars humanity needed lessons on listening to the divine appointment Maker.
I never want to miss a divine appointment. What about you?
Love,
PS: Don’t forget to comment and/or subscribe on last Wednesday’s post for a chance to win Rebekah Lyons book You Are Free. You’ll love it.
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