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Cease Stiving

Is it time for your sabbatical?

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

"If the ladder is not leaning against the right wall, every step gets us to the wrong place faster." Stephen R. Covey

Cease Striving

Sabbatical: a break or change from a regular routine

Why did I wait so long to take a sabbatical?

Like a little boy spinning out of control on a playground merry-go-round, I was afraid of the fall if I let go.

Well, I let go.

Not only did I, not crash or get wounded, but I found healing in letting go of many things.

I realized how many good things, activities, and relationships I had allowed to replace what only God can give me: Love.

Oh yeah, I could preach it, but living from this knowledge moment by moment is different.

The bottom line is that we are born for a need only God can supply.

That is acceptance, affirmation, and approval.

Slowly and imperceptibly, I had started to find acceptance, affirmation, and approval from things, activities, and people.

It took a complete break to see the ugly side of my dependence on the created, not the Creator. 

Thankfully, I have learned (or more likely learning) that relationships and activities can only be the spice on top of the main meal of being accepted, affirmed, and approved by God.

Activities and relationships allow us to express the love we find in God, yet they are not the entire meal.

They are conduits, not the life-giving current itself.

Biggest Take-Away

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

My favorite translation comes from the New American Standard, which translates "Be still" as "Cease striving."

Now, this speaks to me since I am an ADHD kind of person.

"Boy, you got ants in your pants, and you're like a worm in hot ashes," my dad used to tell me.

Telling me to be still just doesn't seem possible.

But telling me to stop fighting, striving, wrestling, and wrangling to get God to do things my way for my results resonates!

I realized on my sabbatical just how great God is and that only surrendering to His will in His way by His power is the pathway to peace and purpose.

I am leaning my ladder only against His wall and, moment by moment, trusting Him. I am climbing Jacob's ladder. (Genesis 28:1-22)

No turning back.

What do you need a sabbatical from?

How would you and others around you benefit from your sabbatical?

On the seventh day...You rested. Give us the power to let go. Loosen our grip on relationships and activities we are trusting. May we trust in You only. Amen


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