Down Time

Today I was blessed with a little down time. I did my best to offer what I believe God asked me to say to the folks at First United Methodist Church of Dunedin at our two morning services this morning. Then we had a great lunch with friends (both old and new). When we got home there were a few things to do around the house before I was able to do what I really love about Sunday afternoons, rest.

It is during down time that I am able to do some of my most introspective thinking. It is among these quiet times that I am able to slow my brain down long enough to listen for the voice of God. I love those times. You see in my everyday life people want me to provide direction, vision, leadership, and answers. However, in the quiet times I am able to just be. I am able to be in the presence of God, just the two of us. I really enjoy those times. These times completely refresh me for the rest of my life.

I think the most amazing thing about these quiet times is that they are completely necessary. You have to have downtime in your life in order to make the up times possible. Jesus would never stay in the crowds for very long. He would be among the people and teach them, heal them, and love them for a while. Then... he would move away and have the downtime he needed to talk with his Father. To receive his direction and guidance. Jesus spent time alone to remember the vision God had for his life. Without it he would not have been able to offer you and me the offer of his life.

I need these times as well; perhaps even more than Jesus. In John 15 Jesus tells us that when we try and do things on our own we can't. When we count on Christ to do things in his power we can do all things because he strengthens us. Jesus himself said that those who love him will do even greater things than he had done. So I need the times apart where I get refreshed by God's vision for my life. Where I am reminded of my created potential. It is in the times apart where God reminds me of whose I am and what He has called me to be. I love these times because it is in these times I hear the truth.

This morning before worship the guys that run the technical stuff put on the preworship music. The song that was playing was Casting Crowns, "The Voice of Truth." That song is about what I think the greatest benefit of downtime with God. It says in the song that whenever we face things that seem to be bigger than ourselves there is one voice telling us we cannot. We are not good enough, strong enough, smart enough, loved enough, empowered enough. But there is another voice telling us we can. We are loved, strong, courageous, empowered, and needed. This is the voice of truth and the times we here it best are in the downtime in our life.

So make sure you are taking adequate downtime to hear the voice of truth. Give yourself enough quiet time to listen for God's vision, guidance, and direction. It is easy to let it get phased out by the rest of life. Don't let that happen to you. God has some amazing things in store for you as you set time aside to be with him. Stop and listen and allow God to show you.