Quiet the Hurry

Weeks like this one leave me longing to find a gentle, quiet stream to sit beside and be still. While it has been a good week, it has been an insanely busy one. There is something about streams that evoke peacefulness and rest to those in its path.

As I quieted my soul one morning this week, the Lord led me to John 7:38.  “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” I pondered this verse, partly because of my affinity for nature, and I meditated on the truth that the Living Savior lives within me because of my faith in Christ. Think about that. God himself lives inside of those who believe. Wow!

While thinking about this, I was reminded of something Henry Blackaby told me years ago as a young missionary. He said, “When people meet you, do they walk away describing you as a sweet young lady, or do they say, ‘I see the presence of the Lord inside of you”? Hmmmm. Do others see Jesus in us? Is he truly like a stream of living water that flows within us, bringing peace and rest to others who come into our lives?

I admit that most often my life exemplifies busyness and hurry – not peace and rest.  As if I needed to be reminded of this, someone special to me was recently asked to mimic me as he walked the runway at a fashion show. He literally ran off the stage to symbolize the hurry in my life.

 

I am trying to consciously refocus my affections so that I am not enslaved by busyness, but intentional with my time. It’s hard to change us “Martha’s” into “Mary’s” but I’m praying that God will mold me into the vessel that best displays His glory. (If you don’t know the story of Mary and Martha, you can read about it in Luke 10.)

What about you? What are some strategies you have for overcoming busyness? Trust me, I could use the tips, especially as we approach the holidays.