Are we too busy chasing, and not hearing God speaking?
In this age of technology that we live in today, we have grown accustomed to a lifestyle of digital technology and noise coming from our smartphones, smart houses, artificial intelligence, and feeds from all our social media accounts. We live life at a hectic pace where everything is coming at us all at once. Every day, we drive at breakneck speeds, even when we’re simply going to the grocery store, pulling into the parking lot, or going to the gas station. Even when pulling up to get coffee, and even driving on the very street we live going home, where the posted speed limit is 25 MP/h, we’re doing 47 MP/h or more down a residential street. We have so much to do, so much on our minds, and so much to get accomplished. “I’ve got to hit the gym,” “there’s a meetup I must attend,” “there’s this social event coming up.” We do this on top of working a full-time job, raising a family if you have kids and are head of the household, or in a marriage. Not to mention, we must deal with financial stress, family issues, health problems (mental and physical), careers, school, and relationships. No wonder humanity is so stressed out to the hilt. Many times, we don’t know whether we are going or coming. Then we cry out, “God HELP ME!!” “There’s got to be a better way to live.” “Life isn’t supposed to be this hard.” Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt 11:28-30)
God never designed life to be lived this way. He doesn’t want us to worry or be stressed or strive after things that don’t really matter much. (Matt 6:25-32)
The question we need to ask ourselves is, “are we chasing after too many things? Are we chasing after a bunch of stuff that we think or even believe will define who we are? Are we trying to keep up with the latest and greatest next best thing? Are we chasing after the riches and wealth in the world’s systems?” Some may say, “man, I don’t care nothing about that, I’m just trying to survive to keep food on the table and a roof over my head.” Still, you’re chasing, hustling conforming to the world’s system – stressing yourself out trying to keep up or trying to maintain. If we’re so stressed out, we won’t be around long enough to see the blessing of the Lord on our lives and families. (1 John 2:17) Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matt 16:24-26) The Word of God promises that He shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. (Phil 4:19) That word, “supply” translated in Greek is plēroō, which means to make full or to furnish or supply liberally; to complete, to fill to the top, so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim.
See, God doesn’t want us to be conformed to the way of the ideology and systems of the world, because it takes our eyes and minds off Him. (1 John 2:16) We no longer hear His voice or direction, but the voices of the world’s ideologies. (Rom 12:2) However, He wants us to acknowledge Him, seek Him faithfully, trust Him and wait for His direction. (Prov 3:5-6)
The Lord has the master blueprint for our lives. (Jer. 29:11-13) We just need to stop, take a pause for a moment, and ask Him what His plans are for us. We need to be patient and allow Him to speak to us and show us His plans. (Ps 37:7) God already knows what we desire, because He put that desire in us when He created us – our goals, aspirations, wealth, and so on. So, God’s blueprint for our lives is large enough to incorporate our plans. When we stop stressing and begin to line up our will and desires to what He wants, God will supply what we want when we seek Him first. (Matt 6:33)