PAUSE THAT REFRESHES

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“The pause that refreshes”.

Are you old enough to remember that one? No?

It was the slogan for who?

That is right!

Coca Cola.

Tough day at work? Have a Coke!

Long day at school? Have a Coke!

Need a break from life? Have a Coke!

Take the pause and be refreshed was the idea. I do find this a little ironic because earlier in its lifecycle Coke was laced with cocaine. Not my idea of a pause or a refreshment, but I digress.

We all need to pause from time to time and “be refreshed”. And while an ice cold Coca Cola will hit the spot on a hot summer day or after a tense day slinging hash or making cash, I want to encourage you to seek another “refreshment” today.

How about a little "JESUS and a smile" for a change?

Our relationship with Jesus Christ releases the rivers of God’s Spirit so that we are refreshed and revitalized daily.

Paul paused and penned…

2 Corinthians 4:16

Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day.

Busyness, pressures, requests and to do lists are “drainers” for sure and I am as guilty as anyone of allowing the “draining” to dominate without refueling and refreshing.

But GOD knows our frailty and that is why He encourages us to take “pauses that refresh”; to make them a priority lest we run the risk of burnout.

“It is important that we take time out for ourselves—for relaxation, for refreshment.”

Ruth Bell Graham

Now I don’t believe Ruth is encouraging us to be “selfish or self-centered”, but rather to be aware of our own limitations and when we need rest, to do just that, rest and allow the SPIRIT to refuel.

Need to take a walk?

Maybe curl up with some good reading?

As I write this entry Beth is refreshing with yoga.

Maybe it is a round of golf or a hike in the woods.

It doesn’t matter as much as “how” you refresh as it is “that”you refresh your mind and spirit frequently.

Do you need a little pause to refresh?

Can I suggest this "pause that refreshes"?

Matthew 11:28

Come to Me, all of you who work and have heavy loads. I will give you rest.

I love you all…

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney