STOP
There’s a certain weight to our everyday life. For some, it may be heavy, and for some it may be a light load. Whatever the weight, what if we set it down for a while and rest from the heavy load of life? Even a little bit of weight gets heavy with time. When you go to be with God, there’s literally nothing better for you to do than to just simply pause and be with Him, letting him speak to you, letting Him lift the weight from you. Sit for five minutes with the creator, rest and pray to Him and lay down your weights.
Try starting with this:
Lastly, imagine all of it (your thoughts, your feelings, your emotions, the expectations, your agendas, your to-do lists) as heavy weights, labeled accordingly. However you are carrying this weight, in a bag, strapped to your back, held to your chest, set it down. Feel the release of the weight leaving you, like at the end of the day when you put down your school bag that carried the weight of the day. Set it all aside and rest in Jesus. We can rest in Him, knowing He has got it all taken care of with His loving hands.
EXHALE
Next, breathe. Breath in…and out…in…and out. Close your eyes to everything around you. God is as close to you right now as the breath in your lungs. Find peace in this thought. When you are ready, pray this simple prayer a few times while still focusing on your breathing.
As you inhale pray, “In the Lord” As you exhale, pray, “I take refuge”
LOOK
Let’s look at the word of God for you today. When God speaks, it’s important for us to pay attention. Read these words slowly and carefully. Read it a few times if necessary. Notice which words or phrases stay with you. Read the whole Psalm for full context.
“In the Lord I take refuge. How then can you say to me: “Flee like a bird to your mountain. For look, the wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” [...] He [The Lord] observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul hates. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur [...] For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; upright men will see his face.”(Psalm 11:1-3, 4b-6a, 7 NIV)
ASK
What stood out to you? Highlight/mark it in your bible. What is a place of refuge for you? Where do you go when your foundations are being destroyed? We are told to “flee to our mountain” or to go to our own source of refuge, but how often are we still attacked there in the shadows? What places of refuge does the world urge upon us, telling us it will be okay if we rest there? And resting there doesn’t provide rest. What does it mean to then find refuge in the Lord? When the Lord observes and examines you and your heart, does it find it righteous and upright? We know that God will reap down justice on the wicked, but the righteous will see his face. What does it mean to be upright? When he examines you, will he find you upright?
HEAR
What is God saying to you? Listen to hear his still small voice. Quiet your mind and search your heart. Now pray: “Speak Lord. Your servant is listening.” You are waiting to hear from the Holy Spirit. Don’t rush this. Based on the scripture you read today, is there anything God is asking you to do? What is he telling you about your relationship with Him? Read the scripture again if you need to. God is speaking to you through it. Let him. To finish up your quiet time, examine your heart. What weight are you carrying with you each and every day? When you laid them down and listened to the Holy Spirit, were you able to see your heart more clearly? Was it upright? What does that relationship with God look like? Is it righteous? Ask him to show you more about how to release what you are carrying and form you more into a person that looks like Jesus
