Lockdown Day 1: PRACTICE THE PAUSE

Here’s a thought. Maybe the Lord is using this season to remind His children, and the world for that matter, to PRACTICE THE PAUSE.

To PRACTICE THE PAUSE is not about taking a deep breath, counting to ten, and gathering our composure. It certainly is not about switching off the news, do some panic-buying and place ourselves in self-isolation. It is about replacing the carnal reaction with an incarnated response. When God instructs His Church to be still, to PRACTICE THE PAUSE, it is a call to add God-spaces to our daily activities.

Consider this: The principle of “self-quarantine”, to PRACTICE THE PAUSE is as old as scripture itself. As a matter of fact, it is contained in God’s perfect law for a life of obedience; the ten commandments. In Exodus 20:9 God commands His followers to work for six days and do all their work, but the seventh day is a day to ‘PRACTICE THE PAUSE’ – to rest. We are instructed to take a break from our daily self-absorbed activities and fill it with a GOD-SPACE; a pause that will reflect on God, His holiness, His will, and His presence.

We are not encouraged in Scripture to respond to the challenges in life by simply putting on headphones and listening to worship music. There is nothing wrong with that but that is ‘caterpillar Christianity’. It might calm us down but will not lead to transformational God-spaces in our lives.

Transformed believers PRACTICE THE PAUSE by finding the God-spaces in life’s challenges. When you hear about wars, rumours of wars, persecution, famines, earthquakes, and civil wars (Mark 13) PRACTICE THE PAUSE. Find the God-space that will create the perfect opportunity for the Gospel to be shared (verse 10).

Don’t tell your God about the Corona Virus, tell the Corona Virus about your God. Don’t step back, step up to the challenge by reflecting on who God is.

When facing the current crisis seek the God-spaces in your life that will transform your relationship with Christ from hardship to hope (Romans 5:3).