The Most Important Pause of the Day - Fill Your Cup Series Week 2
It’s called, “The Fill My Empty Cup Series.”
These are practical posts about how you and I can be filled to the brim and useful for God and His Kingdom.
Last week’s post – “How to Be More Useful for the Kingdom.”
Today, let’s talk about pausing.
Taking a quiet moment.
Stopping to smell the roses.
Taking a few long, deep breaths.
Halting a TV show so we can take a break.
Life is filled with moments when we pause.
To pause is to temporarily stop in our actions or in our speaking.
There is a moment (or several) in my day where I practice this pause.
Others who have gone before me have practiced this important pause – my great-grandparents, my grandparents, and my parents.
Many of my teachers, mentors, and pastors have practiced this pause as well.
In the Old Testament, Hannah, David, Daniel, and Isaiah practiced this pause. The Lord Jesus and the Apostle Paul practiced this same pause in their lives.
The Bible is filled with pauses. In fact, in Psalms, the word “Selah” was often used to indicate a break or a pause in the song or the poetry.
The most important pause in our day is that moment when we look to heaven, acknowledge our Creator, and thank Him for His goodness to us.
As we focus our attention on our Lord, we admit that we need Him. Without Him and His power, we will fail.
Be still before the LORD, all mankind because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.
Zechariah 2:13
As we focus our attention on our Lord, we admit that we need Him. Without Him and His power, we will fail. Click To Tweet
1} Take a moment to be still and quiet.
Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress. Interlude
Psalm 46:10-11
2} Direct all of your total attention to heaven.
The LORD is in his holy Temple. All the earth—be quiet in his presence.
Habakkuk 2:20
3} Tell Him that you love Him and you need Him.
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.
Psalm 62:5-6
1} Pause when you wake.
2} Pause when you are stressed.
The LORD will fight for you while you keep still.
Exodus 14:14
3} You can pause when you are lonely.
4} You can pause when you are in need.
5} Pause when something good happens. Celebrate with God!
6} Pause when you are struggling.
Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.
Psalm 37:7
7} You can pause when someone you love is struggling.
8} Take a moment to pause and say “thanks” before a meal.
9} Pause when you are hurting.
10} You can pause when you are uncertain.
11} Before you close your eyes at night, pause and thank God for the day.
Reflect on all that has happened and remember ways He has been there for you.
But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.”
Exodus 14:13
1} Pausing completely changes our focus.
2} It reminds us we are not alone.
3} In pausing, we are reminded that God is with us and for us.
Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!
1 Samuel 12:16
4} Pausing keeps us healthy and balanced.
5} It gives us courage.
But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again.”
Exodus 14:13
6} Pausing encourages our hearts.
7} It fills us with joy and with peace.
You will keep perfectly peaceful the one whose mind remains focused on you because he remains in you.
Isaiah 26:3
Honestly, the biggest reason that I need to pause every single day is to be reminded that God is in control of everything.
I am not.
When I pause, I get my perspective corrected. When I pause, I am reminded that I am not alone. And, when I take a moment to pause, I find great peace and calm.
Honestly, the biggest reason that I need to pause every single day is to be reminded that God is in control of everything. Click To Tweet
Our rest lies in looking to the Lord, not to ourselves.
Watchman Nee
Last week… How to be More Useful for the Kingdom – by being filled
Join us again next week for more hope and practical instruction on how you can be filled to the brim.
Here are a few of the best posts of my friends that I read this week:
The Necessity of Hope by Susan Mcilmoil
How Would You Describe Who Jesus is to You? by Pam Blosser
Do You Suffer from a Little Crazy Too? by Christy Mobley
The Number One Reason to Start Journaling by Amy Elaine Martinez
7 Reasons Why Connecting to the Ultimate Love Matters by Lori Schumaker
So, What’s All the Fuss about Carbs? by Tammy Langston
Loving Well Doesn’t Always Feel Like We Are Loving Well by Gretchen Fleming and Sue Donaldson
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