Continuing our week of prayer, today we talk about situations that we all have been. Whether it is for work, university and exams, or any other imaginable situation, we know well what it is to be stressed about something. We know what it is running a mile for hour, without being able to settle down for a moment, not even to have a meal as it should be. And even if we try to be calm, we not always achieved that. It's impossible not to think of every detail around us and not be worried about things that, let's face it, are extremely unlikely to happen. We can see in Philippians 4:6 (American Standard Version), what we should do in such cases: "In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.". So, it's necessary to shout at what remains of us and return to our baseline and to the greatest of simplicities. And in a gesture of humility, completely focused, talk to God. Free yourself from the races of your day-to-day and turn unto God. Rest in His arms and simply trust in Him. Anxiety doesn't get you anywhere, but God does!
I don't know how many of you have looked at the sky full of stars at night. It doesn't count if you look at it in the city. It's totally different to look at the sky on this place than in another, away of the so many artificial lights that surround us. The difference is not on the content, because the amount of stars is the same in these two places, but there is something that is different and that prevents us from seeing millions of stars! There is pollution around us, thousands of lights - big and small - that reduce the natural brightness of so many stars. Thus we see only a small part of a multitude of stars, that is impossible to count. And so it is with the promises that God has for us: they are there and they are vast, but we often don't see them. We can observe this in Genesis 15: 5 (King James Version): "And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be". Doubt and uncertainty makes us incapable of seeing it or believing in it. It also distracts us and steals our attention. So, we have to focus on what matters, look up and see what has always been there. Leave doubt and fear, which only obscure the beautiful landscape that otherwise you can't enjoy. Delight yourself in a starry sky!
How many times does it take for you to feel sick of so many things that just get in the way? I am talking about things that are attached to our life and more importantly, things are lead us to the bottom. These are things that even after being organized insist on resurfacing in our mind, again and again. This prevents us to feel, to love, to live. After all, why does it take us so long to realize that we need help? Well, maybe we have already realized that, but we continue to deceive ourselves, because it's just hard to say the words: I need help! I know, the fear blocks us, and the shame and guilt only make it more difficult. But, to be truly free from the dead weight we have in our life, we must lean on someone. We can see this in James 5:16 a): "Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed."(American Standard Version). I can't explain how liberating it is to say, out loud, all that is kept within us, completely hidden. Free yourself from your guilt and shame, and hold on strong to love, a love that is capable of healing the deepest wounds.
A day has 24 hours. This is something like 86 400 seconds per day. However, seeing a day just as a set of hours limits us. We have school (or a job), time for church, time for family and friends, time to rest... but sometimes we don't have for the important things. Time management is a difficult quality to perfect and, until we do so, lots of things will stay behind. Hoever, the Bible is pretty clear talking about time: For everything there is a fixed time, and a time for every business under the sun. (Ecc. 3:1). There is a time for every kind of business or matter... but we also have to dedicate time to who's important: God. Just like we do with colleagues, friends and family, we have to spend time with Him. He's family, friend and companion... so I think, this week, we should add the Creator to our busy schedule.
You know when you wake up without an alarm clock and you can still spend a good few minutes in bed? A little bit sleepy, lazing around and making some sounds a bit strange. It's a good way to wake up! I don’t know how you are, but for those who love to sleep, I understand you well! Sleeping is undoubtedly one of the best things that we can do and the best way there is to rest. We can see in Jeremiah 31:26 (King James Version) what is said: “Upon this I awaked, and beheld; and my sleep was sweet unto me." It's so nice to wake up and see that our sleep was completely recuperator. It changes our whole point of view and we start being fully restored and ready for the new day ahead. So, you already know, work and give always your best but don’t forget to rest. Even God Himself rested on the seventh day of creation, after a lot of work, not because he was tired, but because resting is an important part of the process of working. Maybe we should learn from His example!
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