“While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, ‘My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.’ Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.’ Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.’”
– Matthew 9:18-22
This week, we’ve been looking at some habits and behaviors to help us live abundantly in the new year. So far, we’ve talked about intentional rest and ruthlessly eliminating hurry, so today I want to give you a third practice that I believe will help you become a more peaceful Jesus-follower — leave gaps in your life. I don’t know about you, but if I have a meeting at noon, I typically plan my day with just enough time to arrive at my destination by 12:00, not 11:50 or even 11:55. However, this leaves me no allowance for traffic or any other unforeseen circumstances I might encounter. Then if something happens that puts me even a few minutes behind schedule, I end up being stressed out and late. This is why there’s a spiritual practice called statio, whereby Christian monks will intentionally arrive early to a commitment in order to be in the right frame of mind and have extra time to pray and prepare their hearts. In essence, it is this practice that I’m advocating when I say to leave gaps in your life. Extra time in your schedule ensures that you can live unhurried and open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was on His way to heal the synagogue leader’s daughter in Matthew 9 and was approached by the woman with the issue of bleeding, He could have ignored her or just left her unacknowledged. However, because He wasn’t rushed, He took the time to affirm her healing and show her compassion, and the same can be true of us. Friend, the next time you have someplace to be, I encourage you to arrive five to ten minutes early, sit in your car or go for a brief walk, and just pray. Open yourself up to what the Lord wants to do in and through you in the time you’ve set aside, and lift up the person or people you are meeting with. When you become interruptible, you are transformed into a powerful ambassador for Jesus who remains at peace even when things don’t go as planned. So leave gaps in your life and watch as God fills them with amazing encounters that help you grow closer to Him and to others! |
Prayer
I ask for your help, Jesus, as I vow to leave gaps in my life this year. I want you to move in and through me as I commit to being less hurried.
Reflection
Where and how might you create gaps in your life?
One Response
I am a lector/commentator during the 7::30am Sunday Mass at St Catherine of Siena
Catholic Church here in Miami Florida. I keep track of the time by looking at my wristwatch .It gives me ample time to arrive there early enough and see what my duty is. I sign in and than go to my pew and pray. It clears my mind of all the bad thoughts and allows only the pure words of God to sink deep into my heart and soul.
Then I walk up to the altar and bow before the Tabernacle. I approach the Ambo and begin my opening commentary. After that is done. I bow again and go to my pew to join in singing the entrance hymn. Allowing the words to uplift my Spirit. I hope and pray that The Hour of Power will continue its messages of hope and healing throughout the World. May God bless the Schuller family and the congregation of Shepherd’s Grove. PS I love hearing the magnificent Hour of Power choir and orchestra. Such glorious and majestic music.God bless all of them