PAUSE and LOOK
FEBRUARY 6, 2024
And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”
Pause for a moment and look outside.
What do you see?
What makes you smile?
Whatever you just described, think about this: what you saw was always there, it was just waiting for you to pause and notice it. That’s the basic point of Jesus example to us yesterday in our devotion, the call, the invitation to create space for what matters in the middle of life’s responsibilities to appreciate what’s always been there, specifically to acknowledge God’s abiding presence. Our verse above indicates not only Jesus desire for us, but what we truly need, listen to Jesus compassion in these words, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”
I have found, that when I implement this “Pause and Look” strategy in my living, I become more aware of God’s voice and His abounding love. So maybe the “Pause and Look” approach provides for us a rhythm of reflection and response as we are led into the space of new beginnings.
The purpose of a spiritual practice like “solitude” isn’t really to “better” our life, although that is often the outcome, but the purpose for creating the space of “solitude” is to center our life on what matters most. What is it that matters most? Isn’t it to connect with the One who made you in love, calls you his beloved child, and who for your joy, and experience of abundant life, willingly suffered for you, because of love, “agape” love.
Remember, Agape love is a selfless love of one person for another. Agape is the term the New Testament uses that defines God's immeasurable, incomparable love for each person. It is a love that sacrifices for the benefit of another, a love with actions that demonstrates the preciousness of the one loved. The essence of agape love is goodwill, compassion, thoughtfulness and delight in the one loved.
One of the ways we make this connection to our Creator is through practicing spiritual habits like “Pause and Look”. So together, this week let’s make space for what matters.
Pause for a moment and look outside.
What do you see?
What makes you smile?
Pause for a moment and look outside.
What do you see?
What makes you smile?
Whatever you just described, think about this: what you saw was always there, it was just waiting for you to pause and notice it. That’s the basic point of Jesus example to us yesterday in our devotion, the call, the invitation to create space for what matters in the middle of life’s responsibilities to appreciate what’s always been there, specifically to acknowledge God’s abiding presence. Our verse above indicates not only Jesus desire for us, but what we truly need, listen to Jesus compassion in these words, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.”
I have found, that when I implement this “Pause and Look” strategy in my living, I become more aware of God’s voice and His abounding love. So maybe the “Pause and Look” approach provides for us a rhythm of reflection and response as we are led into the space of new beginnings.
The purpose of a spiritual practice like “solitude” isn’t really to “better” our life, although that is often the outcome, but the purpose for creating the space of “solitude” is to center our life on what matters most. What is it that matters most? Isn’t it to connect with the One who made you in love, calls you his beloved child, and who for your joy, and experience of abundant life, willingly suffered for you, because of love, “agape” love.
Remember, Agape love is a selfless love of one person for another. Agape is the term the New Testament uses that defines God's immeasurable, incomparable love for each person. It is a love that sacrifices for the benefit of another, a love with actions that demonstrates the preciousness of the one loved. The essence of agape love is goodwill, compassion, thoughtfulness and delight in the one loved.
One of the ways we make this connection to our Creator is through practicing spiritual habits like “Pause and Look”. So together, this week let’s make space for what matters.
Pause for a moment and look outside.
What do you see?
What makes you smile?
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