Time Out!

“Mister, I need to GO,” whined Jimmy as he tugged on the ref’s pant-leg.  “Okay, go tell your coach to call a time out for your team,” said the referee. “No, Mister, I need to go NOW!” pleaded Jimmy.  What could the ref do, but send Jimmy to the restroom, while calling a time out.  They were only second grade, don’t you know!

There are times when we all need to take a time out.  Sometimes, it is a gradual building up of pressure that screams we need a break.  Other times, it’s an urgent warning that we need to stop everything right NOW and take a time out!

A story is told of a man and woman who challenged each other to split wood for eight hours, and at the end of the time, see who had the largest woodpile.  Every hour the woman took a break.  The man went nonstop, thinking the extra time would amount to a larger woodpile.  To him, it meant easy victory.  At eight hours, there was only one obvious winner.  The woman’s woodpile was much larger.  The man asked, “How can this be?  I worked the entire time, while you took a break every hour.”  The woman responded, “I used that time to sharpen the ax!”

We each need to take time to sharpen our proverbial axes.  What should we do, when we take a break from our everyday busyness?  First, think of the word break spelled as BRAKE.  Stop what you are doing; put the brakes on.  When we slow down the inner quietness allows us to hear God’s still small voice more clearly.  Through Him we find the peace that we can’t seem to find anywhere else.  We relax, allowing our physical and emotional wellbeing to rejuvenate and reenergize.  As one commercial so aptly put it, “Calgon take me away!”

The Bible sets up a time for spiritual renewal.  In the Old Testament that time was called the Sabbath.  Many New Testament Christians set aside time for the Lord the first day of the week.  Unfortunately, because of our busy workweeks, Sunday becomes the only day to complete chores and errands, and it is no longer a day of rest.

AUTHOR QUOTE: Are you feeling an urgent need to leave the playing field of Life for a break?  Just ask for a time out.  It’s not just for ballgames or errant children.  It can be ours today!

“And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest,” Exodus 33:14.

Today’s devotion is by Kathy Carlton Willis, wife to Russ, pastor’s wife to many, author, editor, publicist, and speaker.  Kathy Carlton Willis Communications encompasses her many passions.  Learn more at: http://kcwcomm.blogspot.com/ or http://www.kathycarltonwillis.com/.