Exhausted by Passivity?

Is this season of forced inactivity lulling you into passivity and deadening your spiritual senses?

Is this season of forced inactivity lulling you into passivity and deadening your spiritual senses?

I felt the Lord nudge me to write from a place of rest. Okay, it was more than a nudge, it was more like an elbow in the ribs. He’s been trying to get my attention in this area as of late. You would think I had the concept of rest down pat. After all, it’s 2020 – the year of stay home, stay safe. And yet, perhaps not-so-surprisingly so, I find entering into real rest to be a struggle. Although I’ve spent much of my time alone and at home for decades, I am unusually distracted during this season and find it challenging to be productive.

I am not the only one, if the plethora of Memes on Social Media bemoaning our collective lack of focused output is any indication.

“You know all those ‘I’ll get around to it when I have the time’ projects I said I would get done?  Well, they still aren’t done in month 3 of the shutdown.”

“My book pile keeps on growing… dust.”

“I signed up for ten online self-help courses, haven’t started one yet, but I did finish binge-watching “Golden Girls. I guess that’s an accomplishment.”

“It’s only 8 PM, and I’m exhausted from doing nothing all day.”

On a serious note, several Christian friends have confessed that they are feeling disconnected in personal devotional time, intercession, worship, bible study, and fellowship with other believers.  I can relate. I’m Zoomed-out; the novelty of online connection has worn off. I’ve had friends confess that they wonder if God has distanced himself as we all drift in a sea of unrest, uncertainty and anxiety. Overwhelmed by news headlines and the ever-increasing polarisation on Social Media, we withdraw from it all. I admit I can relate to all the above.

The questions God asked me today are these. “To where am I withdrawing? What is my destination?  Am I waiting on Him or am I sinking in a quagmire of passivity that pulls me into unbelief, discouragement, and hopelessness? ”

And so, I withdrew into his presence today.  Using Spotify, I created a playlist comprising of contemplative instrumental worship music that some people call Soaking Worship. If you are on Spotify, look the playlist entitled “Soaking Quiet Time Worship“, under my user handle, Kath.

Even as I busied myself with tasks of the day, I felt my spirit and emotions become at rest. As I met with him, I felt God ask me to read Isaiah 40:27-31 in The Passion Translation. As I read, I felt his presence intensify.  Just to clarify, God was always there; my ability to discern his presence grew as I meditated on the following passage.

Why, then, O Jacob’s tribes, would you ever complain?
And my chosen Israel, why would you say,
“Yahweh isn’t paying attention to my situation.
He has lost all interest in what happens to me.”
Don’t you know? Haven’t you been listening?
Yahweh is the one and only everlasting God,
the Creator of all you can see and imagine!
He never gets weary or worn out.
His intelligence is unlimited;
he is never puzzled over what to do!
He empowers the feeble
and infuses the powerless with increasing strength.
Even young people faint and get exhausted;
athletic ones may stumble and fall.
But those who wait for Yahweh’s grace
will experience divine strength.
They will rise up on soaring wings and fly like eagles,
run their race without growing weary,
and walk through life without giving up.
Isaiah 40:27-31 (TPT)

Turn off Social Media, put your phone on mute, and play some quiet instrumental worship. Withdraw into his presence and meditate on the following passage. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself drifting off into a restful nap as you do. You’ll find rest for your weary soul and renewed energy to do all that God called you to do. Wait with expectant patience for God’s grace, and you’ll receive the divine strength to walk through the coming days.

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All Bible verses attributed to the ESV version unless otherwise indicated.

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Until Next Week,

©2020 Katherine Walden