I could not find my glasses today. Not just one pair, by neither of them. I was stuck, could not get on with my work, and worse, I was already behind, having had to take a family member to the doctors this morning.

Not you might understandably say, the most spiritual subject for the thought for the week? But something happened. In the moment of increased frustration, the stress of not being to get on, feeling, ‘I have so much to do, I have not got time for this’!, I sat down; stopped and paused. There was nothing else I could do. I had after all searched the car twice and the house from top to bottom three times. Still no glasses. But I didn’t have time to stop; yet sat seemingly defeated in my optical quest. And still had to write a thought for the week!

Then in the enforced silence I was reminded of the importance of stopping. It reminded me of when as a new police sergeant, under immense pressure and stress, my inspector told me to sit down; to pause. ‘I have not got the time’ I protested. And so, the dialogue went on. In the end he insisted, in fact ordered me to sit and pause. A similar thing happened last week. I had to go on a pre-ordination retreat. But I did not have time. Too much to do; life, it seemed, afforded no such a luxury as to spend three days away from family and all my responsibilities. Yet, again an enforced pressing of life’s pause button. 

The point is this: the more pressured we feel, the more resistant we are to slowing down, to taking a pause, and to ‘re-centre’ ourselves. We get in a trap of busyness. It’s a catch 22 of serious proportions for our wellbeing.

After thirty minutes in my Inspectors office all those tears ago, strangely, the pressures and demands seemed somehow more containable. The enforced retreat last week also provided valuable space for reflection. It really was worth it!

Jesus understood the need to stop, to pause, and more importantly, to ‘re-centre’; turning our life’s compass and trajectory back towards God the Father. How often do we read in the gospels that Jesus took himself off to a solitary place. This is not just for introverts. Even the most extravert amongst us need this place. Need this space. If Jesus needed to do so, how much more us! 

God calls us to rest in him. Without doing so we burn out, spiritually, physically and emotionally. We are encouraged to go into our own room, close the door and spend time alone with Him. Sometimes that is really difficult to achieve. I’m reminded of John and Charles Wesley’s mother, Susanna, who surrounded by her children (she had nineteen!), would take her apron, pull it up over her head as she sat surrounded in the kitchen, and in that space, the children knew that their mother was alone with God and not to be disturbed! 

Today God has reminded me again of the necessity to stop and recentre myself and ourselves upon him. More haste less speed is apparently a spiritual truism also! 

Oh, after this mornings enforced pause, I found my glasses case within minutes, having it seemed walked past it several times. And inside it were not one, but both pairs of glasses!! I’ve never put both pairs in the same case! I can’t help but wonder if God was making a point….we are so much more able to achieve things when we take time to be with Him, and especially when it seems we don’t have time to do so. Not only did I find my glasses by pausing, but I’ve also written the thought for the week! How about that! Hope its an encouragement to you.

I’ve popped some Bible verses below which I hope will encourage you to rest in our loving Father God. 

God bless you

Chris 

⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:5-6

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7