Shabbat!
Today I took out a little time to Shabbat. I took a break. I stopped what I was doing so I could just breathe. I took out some time and just spent my Shabbat with God. I talked to Him. I listened. And the most amazing thing happened; He talked to me.
To Shabbat means that we cease
We stop. We resist the urge to continue. Shabbat means that we just basically stop all activity and get quiet. Face it, we have become so busy in our everyday lives that we neglect to stop for one moment in time to just be quiet and listen to God.
Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything. ~Psalm 46:10, The Massage
Some people say God doesn’t speak to people anymore. That’s a lie. He does. People don’t hear God anymore because people don’t Shabbat. Not long ago I attended a ladies event called “Breathe Night.” It was a time for us to get together and just…well…breathe. To take some time off, relax, visit.
Shabbat
One of the things laid out for us at this event were coloring pages. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I love to color. But I don’t color like most people color. I go outside the lines. On purpose. Coloring gives me a time to relax. It lets me breathe. It allows me to let go of inhibitions and just be me. Coloring lets me Shabbat.
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. ~Philippians 4:6, The Message
When I color, my mind shifts into neutral. When I’m in neutral I begin to hear that still, small, but wonderful voice that ministers to my soul. I hear Him. I listen. I breathe. There are all kinds of coloring books for adults out there today. But hey, you don’t have to go buy an adult coloring book. If you have kids, use one of theirs. Many times I’ve colored Thomas the Train, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, princesses, cartoon characters, it doesn’t matter. It’s not about what you color. It’s about Shabbat.
Stop. Cease. Resist the urge to continue.
Shabbat isn’t about coloring, either. Shabbat is about stopping in your tracks and spending some quiet time with the Lord. In whatever way that ministers to you the most, do it. It’s about taking a break. Take some time out today. Read your Bible. Listen. Watch the leaves fall from the trees. Color. Cuddle up in your cozy place and just get quiet. God will meet you wherever you are. If you give Him a moment of your time, He will come and talk to you.
Call to me and I will answer you. I’ll tell you marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own. ~Jeremiah 33:3, The Message
The enemy wants to speed you up. Don’t let him. Instead, Shabbat. When you do, I guarantee that you won’t regret it. Give yourself time to relax, adjust, unwind, to just stop and enjoy this beautiful life God has given you.
Shabbat! You just might learn something.
