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Unable to Relax?
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 by Sarah Schwerin

When I lay down to sleep, my mind keeps whirring. Did I forget to do something? Are my kids safe? What’s that noise? Even my body fights relaxation. I wear a night guard because I grind my teeth. When I splurge on a massage, my massage therapist tells me, “Relax.”

If only it were that simple.

If I relax, I’ll miss something. If I’m not always doing two or three things at one time, I might fall behind. So, I run to keep up. I wonder if Jesus’ followers ever felt that way.

When Jesus lived on the earth, a group of men and women followed him from town to town. They listened and watched him perform miracles. Their following was not a passive experience. They walked with him, argued with him, and sometimes went out and did what he commanded. Then, Jesus took three of his disciples up a mountain. While Jesus prayed, he changed. His appearance was transformed. Matthew’s gospel tells us that his face shone like the sun and his clothes became like light. Then, Moses and Elijah appeared.

Right away, Peter began speaking. He had a plan. He knew what should happen next. But a voice from heaven interrupted him.

“He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him,’” (Matthew 17:5, ESV).

Much of the time, I feel like Peter. I know what I need to do to reach my goals and I keep talking and acting. I keep pushing forward. Never relaxing. Never listening. And I miss out on God’s presence. I miss out on what’s right in front of me.

Peter stood before Jesus, God in flesh, and he focused on his own agenda, his own plans. It took the voice of God to get his attention.

God tells us: Stop. Listen to my Son.

When we look on the face of God, we will find the rest and relaxation our minds and bodies need. What can we do today that would help us stop and listen?

“Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!” (Psalm 80:3, ESV).

*Picture courtesy of https://pixabay.com/ 

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