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There are so few opportunities to take a step back and breathe in the world today. We are constantly moving about our lives at a breakneck pace that does not wait on anything or anyone along the way. This is not the design of our Creator but a dangerous consequence of the modern world. The problem of busyness begins with the mindset that the most important thing that we can do with this life is produce and prosper. When our primary goals as human beings are production and prosperity then a constant and driving pace of life makes sense. If this was the purpose of life, then the happiest people in the world should be the most successful and driven CEOs and Billionaires. What we see in actuality is that misery awaits all who pursue wealth over Christ, and it only takes a short look at the most "successful" in history to see that they did not find fulfillment in what they had or what they chased after.
We cannot pursue the things the world pursues so doggedly. If we are followers of the Lord Jesus, then productivity looks quite different for us than it does for the world. We are told in Galatians chapter five exactly what our productive lives in Jesus Christ will produce, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control! In order to produce these wonderful and life-changing fruits we must change our mindset and our hearts. These fruits are produced when our hearts are fertile soil, and the Word of God is seeded and grows within us. A humble heart and an obedient servant produce fruit. We are called to humbly love and serve the Lord Almighty.
Where should we begin? I suggest that each of us begin by pushing back on the busyness of the world and seeking the rest Jesus Christ spoke of in Matthew 11:28-30 "28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Among all of the things that people are dealing with, some of the most pressing issues center around exhaustion and stress. We have the answer to both exhausted living and stress filled days, Jesus Christ, and His Way! My prayer for all of us is that we will find true rest today. Take a step back, take a breath, and surrender to Jesus Christ. The fruit is not ours to produce. The fruit does not come from us or how hard we work at creating it. We are the leaves that are attached to the Vine of Jesus Christ! When we surrender our lives and our fruit production to Jesus Christ, we become capable of the peace and calm that comes from Christ alone. Let us each let go of the pressure we feel to produce on our own and instead embrace the Cross and the rest found in Christ alone!
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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week's column comes from Pastor Matt Kinley of First Church of Christ, Lock Haven.