40 Days of cHesed—Day 14

Day 14 When God Seems Distant

In sports a time out can be called for many reasons. Sometimes the coach needs to give the players a new plan. Sometimes the referees need to discuss a call. Sometimes a player needs to talk to the coach. Sometimes it is called to cool down heated tempers.

If you didn’t call the time out, it can seem frustrating. But if you see it as a moment to rest and reflect, then it is a gift! And when play continues, you will be better for it.

Even best friends sometimes need a break. While God always keeps up with us, we can have a hard time keeping up with him. Our signals get crossed. We lose our focus—forgetting the play.

God never makes us do what we’re not ready to do. Sometimes he has to let us catch our breath and take a time out. (In Matthew 11:28, rest means just this kind of break!)

Don’t worry when God seems distant. He hasn’t gone anywhere. The problem is with our perspective. Usually, we have moved away from his view. No wonder we can’t see him!

So put down your burden and refresh yourself. Call an intermission—pause for a time out. After you’ve caught your breath, check your position. Where are you? What’s going on?

Then check in with the coach and ask him if you’re ready to get back in the game. If he says yes, get back in there and keep going. If he says no, then take a seat and wait patiently—he’ll show you what you need to do next.

Today’s Look at 1 John

Read 1 John 2:12-17 one more time! While you’re reading, think about how challenging it has been to read this passage these last seven days. Hey, does this feel a little like a drill? Bingo!

You can think of it as a boring drill, or you can think of it as a way to get stronger and more intimate with God. That’s part of what discipleship is—working at reading God’s Word and getting it into your heart.

Find one thing that speaks encouragement into your heart and let it refresh you while you’re warming the bench!

Keep Breathing!

Today when you ask God—your new best friend—to spend the day with you, transforming your conversations and activities, thank him for his rest. Take a time out from things that are wearing you down. Breathe in his Spirit—exhale your frustrations. Don’t be in a hurry to jump back into the rat race.