In the Waiting
For me and my family, March is jam packed full of celebrations and all the ‘to-do’s’ that go along with birthdays and anniversaries.
Recently, with the go-go-go season we are in, I thought about the time leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Jesus was a busy man. In a week, He organized a parade, caused an uproar in the Temple, taught disciples, prepared for Passover, organized a last meal, went to the Mount of Olives, and He made time to take a walk in the garden.
Staying busy can often be used as a coping mechanism for me. If I am in the middle of dealing with pain from my past or grief from more recent wounds, I can find escape in the deadlines.
Seeking distraction instead of working through the suffering, the damage, the hurts is truly denying God of an opportunity to grow me deeper spiritually or connect myself to Him more.
I take my eyes off of His will when I rush around, working to the bone to make every party decoration perfect or complete the best balloon arch.
His travels were not short, His main event was not trivial. He had so much to do to prepare for His last days but never once did He take His eyes off God.
I know what you’re thinking; “But Rachel, He is Jesus! Of course, He didn’t take His eyes off God.”
We are not perfect. We are going to stumble. Our eyes are going to shift. But we are called, as Christians, to be “like Christ.” And in the busyness of our seasons we can continue to fix our eyes on our Savior, follow His ways, prioritize like He did, remain steadfast and thankful.
When I take my eyes off the planning and the desires of my own heart and set my eyes on the ways of the Lord, I find hope and rest. I find myself more able to manage what matters most. He restores my soul when I lean into Him and remove myself from people-pleasing tendencies or denial by distraction.
As Easter draws nearer and my days continue to contain mile-long to-do lists, I focus on what matters most. The party and presents don’t matter. The time spent with my children that I’ll never get back matter more. The perfect way the cake looks or whether I remember the party favors won’t be remembered but the ways in which I encourage my boys, bring them up in righteousness and lead in gratitude will resonate with them for the rest of their lives.
My motivation to you, is to pray about whatever you are filling your time with and ask God if it is good. He will offer you discernment on items to remove from your lists. He will give you peace in gearing your purposes toward the more important pieces of your life.
You matter to God. He created you for a purpose.
Let us not be distracted from His will for us.
