“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out,

 when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”

(Acts 3:18-20)

Have you ever scheduled an activity, only to find that the time to do it never comes?  Do you often plan to do things and realize (maybe weeks later) that the time to accomplish them never presented itself?  If you can relate, it’s quite possible you need to take a moment to stop and evaluate where your energy is going.  Where is your focus?  If it’s all over the place, that could be an indicator that you need to try a different approach.

Now contrast this with a stoplight turning red – what does that signal (or indicator) mean?  It means: STOP NOW!  If you put it off until later – it might be too late.  It is actually hazardous (to your health and the health of others) not to stop when you see the signal is already red – or better yet, if you see the warning of the yellow caution light telling you to slow down and PREPARE to stop.

A friend recently e-mailed me, reminding me to take time to refuel, reconnect, and REST.  I appreciated her concern for me as I wondered incredulously, “Exactly WHEN would I find the time to do this?!?”  Truth be told, she e-mailed me on 12/12/07, but I’m just now getting this message posted on 12/20/07 – see how it happens?  Time drifts away from us when we don’t actively manage it.  Let’s commit to actively managing our time in 2008 instead of passively allowing time to dictate to us what our schedules will be…a novel concept, wouldn’t you agree?

The times of refreshing come from the presence of the Lord.  If you’re too busy to spend time with Him to get clarity and direction for your life, then guess what?  You’re just too busy.  Stop NOW!  Refocus. Reprioritize.  Rest in Him.  As we take time at the end of the year to reflect, we can also use this time to reprioritize based on what’s really important.  The Holy Spirit is here to help us and guide us as we commit to aligning with God’s Word. 

Abundant blessings as you tie up those loose ends and approach the conclusion of 2007 🙂

© 2007 by Kayren J. Cathcart