In Parts 1 and 2 we discussed how life has changed, becoming more demanding and how it leaves people feeling vulnerable, exhausted, and negative. We also discussed why it is important to have time out and that it involves more than just taking a break. It means that God needs to be the centre of your time out, the one you need to consult with and allow Him to guide your every step. Click here to read Time Out Part 1. Click here to read Time Out Part 2.
What are we busy with, and how do we deal with this constant pressure of life to keep on delivering and producing results, even at the cost of our own health. If we do nothing about it, we will burn out and there will be nothing left of us to give. This will have a tremendous impact, not only on our health but also on the relationships we have with our loved ones. But how do we do this? How do we ensure that we take time out and still perform? This is not easy, because you can’t stop working and not earn money as it is a requirement for your family to survive in the world today.
God’s Word is full of guidelines. Remember the story of Mary and Martha in the Bible (Luke 10:38 – 42)? Martha was running around to prepare the meal, whilst Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to Him. Yes, Jesus and the disciples had to eat so the meal had to be prepared, but Mary chose to first sit at Jesus’ feet listening to His teaching, putting God’s Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33) for His Word says that when we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, the rest will follow.
So here it was about Mary taking time out to hear God’s voice and that is what we also need to do, because running a rat race will steal your time and therefore you must make the effort to STOP, take TIME OUT and sit at Jesus’ feet so that you can hear His voice and ask His guidance.
Psalm 46:10 – 11 says: “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” You see, no matter what the challenges or difficulties you are facing, you must become still before God and know He is exalted above the challenges you face. Once saved in Christ, He is in you, so if He is exalted over everything, then He in you is exalted over your challenges. The challenges might not all go away but He is in it with you and will go through it with you, but you must allow Him.
Matthew 6:16 – 18 says: “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Why do we fast? We fast to pray and when we fast, we give up something and every time we want that something, we pray and speak with God about the matter that we are fasting about. It is not about setting an ultimatum to God to give you what you want, but to put your faith and trust in Him that He will come through for you in His time and according to His will. It is about speaking to Him and listening to what He has to say and then to wait on His timing.
Remember that when you fast, you must give up something that really matters. For some people it is coffee, others do not eat during the day, some leave out meat and others fast from social media. It does not matter what you give up, but it must be something that will get you praying when you want it but cannot have it.
Once again, it is all about TIME OUT. So, God asks us to be still and know that He is in control. He wants us to go into fasting and prayer about those things we need answers on. But there is more, and in Part 4 of Time Out, we will go deeper and add to the list, love, and peace. Please make sure to follow these articles which will end in an e-book.
Love in Christ
Princess K