Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out? Feeling overwhelmed? Got to getaway? That is exactly what “the God doctor” orders. Get Away! Not a tropical vacation. Nor a trip to the lake. Certainly, don’t go off the grid. God wants you to get away with Him. Although, a trip to the tropics – sounds good. The lake – even better. Off the grid – glorious!
My mind needs a break. A break from leftist liberals and righteous right. Both sides wearing me down. Weighing me down. Getting me down. I need to be free and lighten my load. I need to relax. Rest and respite are the “The God doctor’s” prescription. I need to recover my life. That’s what Jesus says to do in Matthew 11:28-29.
“Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly’” - (Matthew 11:28–29, MSG). (Emphasis mine and maybe God’s too)
Notice, His demands? Come to me. Get away with me. Walk with me. Work with me. Watch me. Learn from me. Not CNN, NPR, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, CSPAN, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, GOOGLE, FOX, or any of the alphabet for that matter. Me, God! Turn your TV OFF. Social Media OFF. Streams Off. Screens off and learn from me. Me, God! The get off the grid thing is looking pretty good.
OK, enough with the politics. Let’s get back to God. The first order of business is to “Come to me.” It’s the start that stops most people. Do you regularly meet with God? Daily? I’m a member of the 5:00 am club, most days it’s closer to 5:20 am—coffee and all. I choose to start my day with God. First thing. Every day. I read the Bible. Before emails and news.
Wasn’t my idea; I learned it from Coach Mac. Bill McCartney, former head coach of the University of Colorado football team and co-founder of Promise Keepers. He used to read the sports section, first thing, every day. Religiously. Until he met Jesus. His new routine, 4:00 am Bible before sports. His prayer list, long and legendary. Coach Mac’s first hour—all God’s. Come to me. Get away with me. Early and often…and you’ll recover your life.
The first time I read through the Message version of the Bible, the following phrase captivated me. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I connect best with God in nature. This passage reminds me of Psalm 23:2-3. “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside the still waters, He restores my soul.” When I get away with God, He has my full attention. He silences the noise.
My friend Blake Frye, founder of CORE Leadership asks the CEOs that he coaches to do Silent Retreats twice a year www.core-leadership.org. I have been on several of these retreats. Just Bible, journal, pen, and God. The silence is deafening at first. Your mind races all over the place. The anticipation of hearing from God—overwhelming. Until you start reading the Word.
Somewhere between chapter five—any chapter five—and chapter…, God meets you. Takes the weight of your worries. Lifts your ill-fitting burdens and meets with you. Worries and Burdens? Give them to Him. He wants to lead you. He wants to teach you. He will encourage you. Go to Him. Keep His company. All your junk—all His. Learn to live, freely. Relax, God’s got this!
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