When Will You Stop?
As per usual, time was tight this morning. After praying, doing a devotional, and posting to stories, I didn’t have a lot of time for my run. It was going to be a quick run in terms of time and fast in speed. But as a ran, I felt the Holy Spirit telling me to “Stop 🛑.”
Stop and just breathe for a moment.
The truth is that I resisted. In fact, I resisted multiple times.
The first time was when I first passed over the bridge. I said I’d stop on the way back. On the way back I ran past my stopping point, and I literally had to talk myself into going back. But when I did, I felt a calmness. I stopped and looked out onto the creek and took a few deep breaths. I made myself stand still and take in the quiet of the moment. I observed the beauty that God created, and I tucked it in my mind to reflect on when the upcoming we gets busy. And then, it was time to go.
I continued on my run back home, and before long, I was struck by a holly bush. I ran past it, and again, I felt the Holy Spirit telling me to go back and stop. Again, I initially resisted. Time was ticking after all. I needed to get home to make breakfast for my family. I rolled my eyes and took the few steps back to the bush and soon found myself gazing and taking a picture.
When I finished, I ran home and made breakfast. And as I cooked, reflected on my moments of stillness, and I was thankful for them.
Take-Aways
- God is still creating and and maintaining beauty in the midst of calamity.
- Stopping to pause is an opportunity for God to renew our strength.
- Don’t be afraid to yield to voice of the Holy Spirit.
Scriptures on Stopping and the Holy Spirit
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
“Stop and consider God’s wonders.” Job 37:14
“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
“Live freely animated and motivated by God’s Spirit” Galatians 5:16
