Make Space

Rest, slow down, pace, pause, be unhurried, and breathe just words to remind myself.

Sickness took a toll on me for three (3) weeks. I was fighting pneumonia. Thankfully, I am better now, though I cough a little bit. It was a time of self-reflection and knowing my body more. My body shut down because of the demands of ministry, schedules, and life itself. I may say my life was out of balance. God is highlighting this area to me because He wants me to be a good steward of my body, my family, and the ministry. I began to slow down, pace, pause, and breathe. How I miss silence, the chirping birds in our neighborhood, the morning sunshine, and just creation itself. I began to celebrate the little things, step away from distractions and the demands of life, and just enjoy the silence and hear my heart beat. 

Jesus regularly went away by himself. He withdrew to connect with the Father. Mark 1:35 says, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” When I intentionally step away from the distractions and demands of life, then I hear God’s voice more. I slowly began to heal and recover. My soul, which was once in the wilderness, found its connection back, and my body started to release all the tensions when I began to make space. 

I want to have this rhythm like Jesus going away to quiet places. To enjoy silence and solitude. To withdraw and breathe when life gets tough sometimes. To enjoy the beauty of creation. My prayer is that “Lord, help me to choose to continue and engage myself to silent retreats everyday.”