I started a new blog series last week: Six Signs You Are Headed in the Wrong Direction. Click HERE to catch up and read the first sign: “When you have no peace about a decision.”

Today, you will read my column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper, where a wrote about the second sign that may indicate that you may be on the way to miss God’s best: “An Overwhelming Schedule.”

I pray this series will bless you, and help someone who may be heading the wrong way and doesn’t even know it.

Love in Jesus,

Patricia

Sign #2 – An Overwhelming schedule

Dr. Charles R. Swindoll is an evangelical pastor, author, teacher and radio preacher. He is the author of over 70 books, and his radio program “Insights for Living” can be heard on more than 2,000 stations around the world. Swindoll has been an active pastor and accomplished author for over five decades, with an impressive list of accomplishments that gives us an idea of how busy the 83-year old pastor has been.

In his book “Stress Fractures,” Swindoll tells the story of what happened in his life several years earlier, when his children were still small. He said he found himself with too many commitments on his calendar. He was constantly nervous, snapping at his wife and children, eating meals hurriedly and feeling irritated with inevitable, unexpected interruptions throughout the day. He recalls, “Before long, things around our home started reflecting the patter of my hurry-up style. It was becoming unbearable.” He proceeds to tell the story of one particular incident that God used to shake him out of the busyness trap that threatened to destroy his life and family:

“I distinctly remember after supper one evening, the words of our younger daughter, Colleen. She wanted to tell me something important that had happened to her at school that day. She began hurriedly, ‘Daddy, I wanna tell you somethin’ and I’ll tell you really fast.’

“Suddenly realizing her frustration, I answered, ‘Honey, you can tell me — and you don’t have to tell me really fast. Say it slowly.’ I’ll never forget her answer: ‘Then listen slowly.'”

Even though the story happened several decades ago, it could not be more relevant for our current day. Gone are the days when extreme busyness was reserved to society’s overachievers, CEOs and leaders of large ministries across the globe. In this day and age, not only working parents, but also stay-at-home mothers run from one commitment to another, filling their short intervals of quietness with social media and constant noise.

Indeed, most of us can relate to Swindoll’s story. I know I can. Not many years ago, God also used something my daughter said to wake me up from an over-busy spell. My priorities were jumbled, and my health and family were suffering. I knew I had to start “listening slowly.”

But there is a most crucial relationship that also suffers when we don’t take the time to listen slowly: our relationship with God.

While trying to impart life principles to our teenage daughter, one of the things my husband and I have strived to convey from our experience is that God has a purpose for each of our lives, but it takes listening carefully and patiently, expectantly waiting for him to reveal his path for his children. For Christians, spending time in prayer and studying Scriptures are the steps to discern his direction and will for our lives.

God is not interested in fast-food religion. He wants us to deliberately pause all other activities, and sit quietly with Him, waiting for the six-course meal He has prepared for us.
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It takes time. It takes the right perspective, and, first and foremost, it takes realigning our priorities.

Swindoll’s story made me think. I wonder what would have happened in this man’s life had he not, early in his career, accepted his daughter’s quiet admonition as wake-up call from God himself. What would have happened, had he not realized that overworking for God does not replace developing a relationship with Him. I wonder whether his busyness would have wrecked, not only his career, but also his family. It’s a sober thought.

Indeed, when we realign our hearts to stop and “listen slowly,” God speaks. Because He won’t shout over the crowds. His voice is often a whisper. Therefore, just as gently as a child’s voice fades away when she realizes her opinions and stories do not matter to her parents, our lack of interest or time for God silence Him, and we find ourselves stumbling our way through life, too busy to listen to the Voice that tells us where to turn.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) on Saturday, March 17, 2018.

Six Signs You Are Headed in the Wrong Direction ~ Blog Series ~ Sign #2 - An Overwhelming Schedule
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“And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”” Matthew 28: 23-24  

Stress has a way of finding us when we least expect it.

Smooth sailing on the open sea of life lands you in the middle of a storm, as the ‘weather’ changes in a matter of minutes. When you are floating along, it’s good to remember, as the storm approaches, (while you still have time) to get the life boat ready, tighten up your life vest, put your important items in your floating containers, and get fit for the task at hand because, you can count on it: the boat is about to rock, and you’re about to get soaked. After the turbulence settles and blue skies appear, you will be glad you were prepared.

Chronic illness is one storm that many encounter along the sea of life. It hits hard, and sometimes it comes with no warning. Those who embrace the storm prepared, may not ever see it subside totally, but they can ride the storm well in God’s life boat. Securely fastened in the life vest of His love, Jesus Christ, they will not drown, but they will certainly get wet. Waves will crash around them, but as they take refuge in His love, they will feel His comfort and will not be swept under the currents of anxiety and fear.

Isaiah 41:10 says: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

In the storms that relationships can sometimes bring, your ocean may be full of the salty tears that you’ve cried over those you love. With Christ wrapped around our body tight, we can envision the rainbow after the storm and it helps us to know that “this too shall pass”.

It is in these storms that we see the importance of change within ourselves vs. trying to change other people. With help, we can learn how to live in these storms without being destroyed by them. All the thunder and lightning that happens when a relationship is broken is scary and makes us feel vulnerable, but with our seat in the lifeboat, Jesus will show us how to swim if we get knocked off our feet and into the water. His Word promises that “He will never leave us or forsake us.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Another storm of change is the aging process.

If we fail to accept this, and begin to go with the boat into dark waters, we will be harmed as we fall overboard. Plastic surgery, a younger spouse, a new home or a new job won’t stop the aging process. Even if we iron out all the wrinkles with plenty of Botox, our days are still numbered and death will eventually knock on our door.

I don’t know about you, but I want to live with joy in my heart, and a smile on my face. I don’t want to be remembered for leaving a trail of heartache behind me from the pain I brought on my family because I couldn’t accept that I was getting older. The time you have left should be full of the eternal things of Christ that give deep fulfillment, not temporary pleasure. 2 Timothy 2:22 says, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” 

As the storms of change rage on in your life, make it count for Christ. Bring some others with you into the lifeboat. Give them the Life Vest and together, embrace the Father.

{This post is a contribution from Stephanie Wilkins for Recharge Wednesday}

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