Pressing Pause (Again)

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” -George Santayana

My heart plummeted as I read the freshly printed agenda. With heightened hindsight, I suddenly remembered my responsibility as a presenter at the meeting. 

I glanced at the clock. 9:00 PM.  The meeting would begin in just ten hours. Not only was I unprepared, I hadn’t even started the necessary work. 

Sighing, I reopened my computer and got to work. Nine hours later, I drove to my workplace, thanking God for nudging me to print my agenda the night before, rather than waiting until the morning. Because of Him, I felt ready for the task in front of me. 

But behind my relief, I felt uneasy. Since the beginning of this new school year, I raced from task to task. Sometimes I barely took time to breathe. I found myself wondering, How did I end up here again? 

Honestly, this scenario replays tirelessly in my life. In fact, I chose the word Pause for 2019 because I recognize my weakness for overfilling my schedule. 

The Lord made pausing easy for me in the aftermath of my heel injury and surgery. Thankfully, my heel continues to improve, and I find myself able to do more. Unfortunately, the all too familiar temptation to overdo rides on the heels (pun intended) of feeling stronger. 

Being busy and productive boost my self-esteem. I love crossing items off of my to-do list. But even more, I relish helping others. It hurts me to see other people overwhelmed and overworked. So, I quickly jump in to help, until I also become overwhelmed and overworked.

I’ve walked this path enough to know the inevitable outcome. At some point, I will fail to deliver on my promises. Unable to meet expectations, I will frustrate the very people I meant to help.

I took the near disaster at my meeting as a clear warning. Without a doubt, I need to revisit and renew my resolve to Pause.

Jesus promises:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV)

Jesus always offers us rest and peace. But I forget this when I run from task to task.

A well-placed pause satisfies the soul. When I pause, I remember Jesus always accomplishes what He purposes. But unlike me, He does so without running ragged or feeling frazzled. The key lies in being yoked with Him:

To be like Him, I need to be with Him. 

Wherever you are in your journey, I pray you, too, may find time to pause and reflect. May we all be yoked to the One who lightens our burdens.