Take Time To Breathe

Isaiah 40:31 > "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."

Let's admit it; breathing is 100% necessary to live. Our bodies were created to breathe. It was the very breath of God that started the whole breathing process! He breathed into a clump of dirt and brought it to life. And now, in order for us to live, we have to be able to breathe. It's not just true for our physical being, it is also true for our spiritual being.

Let's consider our vehicles. We do have to make the occasional stop to put gas in them. If we don't, we're not going to get very far. But one of the most important components for our vehicles is oil. With the right amount of clean oil our vehicles can operate much better. In other words, it won't be sluggish.

As Christians, it's extremely important to keep our oil changed regularly. We can stop by the gas station (church) as often as we like to keep our tanks full. But to have our oil changed on a regular basis requires personal and intentional time with the Lord. It's there that we keep our bodies from becoming sluggish.

I had been spending a lot of time working on a particular project. If I wasn't sitting at my computer diligently working on it, I was definitely thinking about it. Even to the point of it showing up in my dreams while I was sleeping. So, true rest never came. Before I knew it, I was overwhelmed. My husband, even though he was very proud of my project, had been placed on the back-burner once again. I was working a full-time job (still am!), coming home to work on my project until 10:00 p.m., getting up at 4:00 a.m., only to start my routine over again.  Something had to change.

When I feel overwhelmed and exhausted, my solution is a nap. And so I took one. I still didn't feel refreshed and no-where-near rested. Then, I remembered my front porch. It's funny how I had forgotten the solitude and peace I have felt there many times. With a fresh cup of coffee and laptop in hand, I headed to the front porch.

I really had missed this place of solitude. The birds were singing praises to the King. Before I knew it, my heart was joining them. Because I live in the country there's not a lot of distracting noises. It's much easier to hear the sounds of nature. It's easier to breathe, if you try.

It was then that I realized that my sluggishness and sense of being overwhelmed was because I had not taken that much needed time to simply breathe, to wait upon the Lord, to have my "oil" changed. I needed strength renewed, because I honestly just didn't have anymore. I wanted to mount up with wings like eagles! I so desperately wanted to run (not physically, mind you!) and not be weary. I wanted to keep walking without coming close to fainting. My spirit had been longing for the Lord.

I had not taken care of my "vehicle". I took the time to put gas in it, but never took the time to have the oil changed. My oil needed changing. It was obvious that I needed a much stronger brand. I am so thankful that the Mechanic I needed was waiting for me. He waited for me to realize I was just not going to make it much farther.

When I left the front porch (the shop) I no longer felt sluggish and overwhelmed. My strength was renewed, I had wings like eagles, my spirit was running, and I could walk! Thank You Jesus!!

In awe of Him,
~ Vonda