My little cat loves to just sit in my lap. It’s his favorite place to be. If I sit in this certain chair, he jumps up there. If I’m there an hour, he’s there an hour. It’s like his whole agenda hinges on when I’m in the chair. He watches me wherever I am to see if I’m headed towards the chair. It’s so sweet and adorable. He just loves to be with me. He feels safe and secure when he’s in my lap. He seems to drift off and nap with ease knowing he’s just touching me. I love the fact that he feels so loved and secure. One morning, I was holding him and The Lord reminded me that this is how it is with Him. His children should feel loved and secure knowing that He’s always with us and that any time we want to just sit and talk with Him, He’s always there. The King of the universe invites us to sit with Him!
We’re so busy in our society that sitting down for a break is a luxury. There are days that I literally don’t sit down for four or five hours straight. Not only do we get physically tired, but we get spiritually drained if we’re not pulling into the gas station of The Word. You can’t keep driving your car on empty, yet we do it with ourselves all the time. At what point do you just break down? “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” (Isaiah 1:18 NKJV) This is an awesome promise from God about how He will exchange Christ’s perfection for our imperfections. However, I want you to notice the first sentence. He’s inviting you to reason with Him. This is going to involve a conversation. He’s trying to settle a matter with you and you have to be attentive. So many people “wander” around aimlessly because they haven’t met with their true Life Coach. They look for answers everywhere and from everyone but forget to get direction from The One who created them. We get so distracted chasing things that ultimately do not matter that we forget what’s important and life sustaining.
“Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.” (Mark 2:15 NKJV) A lot of these people were outcasts or ostracized because of their not doing right by people or The Law. Jesus, however, did not turn them away. He wanted to sit and have a meal with them. They were physically nourished by the food but more importantly, they were taught by Jesus! Can you imagine being at that table? I’m sure not one person walked away the same. How could they? They had been instructed by The Creator of the world. He knew each of them personally and knew exactly what they needed to hear. All Jesus needed was a little time with them. They willingly gave it because they instinctively understood that He had the answers to life’s big questions. He was and still is The Answer.
We can be very busy doing very good things in life. We can be spending time with our families, working as volunteers and even doing ministry. These things are not wrong and God has called us to many of these. Having said that, if these activities are replacing your time with Jesus, you probably need to reevaluate. He doesn’t want us to sacrifice our time with Him to work for Him. In fact, when you spend time with Him, only then does the work of the ministry flow naturally. You don’t have to do things in your own strength. You don’t parent children alone. You don’t make tough decisions without being informed. You’ve already met with The Master and you are prepared. This only happens when you decide to sit for a while.
Today’s writer is Brandi Crowe. A hairdresser for over 25 years, she is currently the owner of Brandi Crowe salon in Buford, GA. She loves hiking, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family and friends. Brandi lives in a custom farmhouse with her husband Robby and cat Harold.