It’s Time to Pause

The Good Shepherd

In my last blog post, I affirmed the following as it pertains to life as we now know it due to the current set of events with the epicenter referred to as the coronavirus.  

“I personally believe a giant, reset button is being pressed and we would be wise to ponder our personal and collective steps at this time. I believe it is time to evaluate where our priorities rest and to make sure our lives are built on solid foundations.”

We are all learning to cope with a new normal and I use that word very loosely. Things are changing rapidly. 

News feeds are updated often and we have daily briefings as part of the tapestry being woven.  

Alternative arrangements for schools, workplaces, churches, and other entities are front and center. Restaurants and many public places are now closed except for take-out.  You get the picture.

In short, our society is in scramble mode.  The cumulative effect of it all can leave us weathered, exhausted, and drained. 

Enough is enough.

Fortunately, God is close to us and is a conversation, called prayer, away.

As a good shepherd He cares for His flock.  I don’t know about you, but a good dose of caring for my heart is always welcome, especially when extraneous circumstances are in play.   

Life has a way of draining us under normal circumstances. The depletion effect is magnified all the more when our tanks are pointing to empty.

Jesus offers Himself to us. He is the very One we need, a resting place where we can be restored.

He is the shepherd not only able to care for us, but His desire is to do so.

The Lord is my best friend and my shepherd.

I always have more than enough.

He offers a resting place for me in his luxurious love.

His tracks take me to an oasis of peace, the quiet brook of bliss.

That’s where he restores and revives my life…(Psalms 23:1-3, The Passion Translation)

On a practical note, I came across a simple phone app which will help you navigate the need to intentionally pause and allow your well to be replenished from His streams of living water.

The app can be found in your phone’s app store and is called The Pause App (or One Minute Pause). 

It was developed by Ransomed Heart Ministries and is based on a chapter in John Eldredge’s new book, Get Your Life Back.  

I find it interesting that the sub-title of the book is called, “Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad”. It seems like that shoe fits given the current scenario.  

A screenshot of the official description is shown below. The app is simple to use and it has really has helped me for the brief time I have used it.  It has allowed me to intentionally hit the pause button, causing me to re-center my thoughts on Him.

Additionally, Ransomed Heart released a podcast last week called Responding to the Global Crisis

It’s well worth the listen and lends itself to real thoughts and conversations about what we all are experiencing, providing some practical solutions to navigate these unchartered waters.

I leave you with these words of words of encouragement.

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 New Living Translation)

Until next time, blessings….Bruce