Pastor's Corner: Let the breaks draw you to God

How busy our days can get. How filled every hour seems to be, with so many other things waiting to be added to the list. Then something traumatic occurs, everything stops. Blizzards hit. Ice storms come. Roads are closed. Things shut down. Schools are canceled. All of a sudden there's a breather. You have to stop. And life becomes a little clearer. The fog lifts. The haze briefly burns off. You actually have time to think about what really matters. What's important rises to the top.

An ancient King from the Middle East put it this way,

"Lord, tell me of my end and how long I will live. Let me know what little time I really have. You have given me only a short life; the length of my lifetime is like nothing compared to you. Everyone's life is only a breath. People are like shadows moving around. All their work is for nothing; they collect things but don't know who will get them. So, Lord, what do I wait for, you are my hope. Save me from all my wrongs. Don't let wicked fools make fun of me!" Psalm 39.4-8

Life has a way of pushing the urgent in front of the important. The phone rings and its 'urgent' because if we don't get it, we miss the call. Caller ID helps but even then there are several numbers we don't recognize. The call may not be at all important, maybe even worthless.

King David asked God to remind him just how long he is going to live so that he keeps thinking about what's important. Careers, money, things to buy and do are all wonderful but they end quickly. And when you're gone, who gets your stuff? Will they think it's as important and special as you did or box it up for the auction house?

What really matters are relationships and especially the one we have with God. He made us. He loves us. He wants to do great things in us and through us. He wants us to honor his Son Jesus. Relationships (healthy ones) can last a lifetime, and our relationship can, if we surrender and join Jesus, can last forever.

Take the time to stop and remind yourself of just 'what' life really is and what's important. Remember that you are a shadow, a vapor, a mere breath. We all are. When we stop to take the time to remember, our mind returns to God. "Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You!" In the busy-ness and 'urgency' of life, we can easily forget him. Be alert! Enjoy the breaks and let them draw you to God.