Permission to Pause (and Pause Again)

 "He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” (Psalm 46:10)

As a summer girl at heart, I do not naturally enjoy winter. The cold can tempt me to hibernate, but that is not the course I can often take. One morning, in the face of the frigid air, I remember vividly having to get to an appointment. Despite the temptation to stay home within its walls of warmth, I was soon reminded of priorities and focus. 

For me, winter represents seasons like that, seasons I want to wish away for warmth. Yet, there is such an opportunity for refinement in the waiting and the being. Even in the cold, God brings warmth. He brings the fire to ignite. There is beauty here and now; but how will we see it if we don’t pause to defrost our lens? We would not start driving our car before defrosting the windshield; we must do this in our lives, too. Before going anywhere, we must pause to be safe, wise, and intentional. We must pause to defrost our lens to see through His. This often requires us to both slowdown and learn to be present. 

After getting my youngest two children in the car and the window defrosted that morning, we started on our way to the orthodontist, only to have the window frosted again. I could not see and had to pull over to gain visibility, as I tried not to watch the ticking clock. Soon we were on our way again, but didn’t get too far before it became blurred again! We had to either continue going without being able to see or pause and pull over to refocus another time, which held the potential to make us late. Still, I felt Holy Spirit’s gentle reminder of the permission to pause, how necessary it is, and how it applies to so much in every season. “Do not be anxious about anything…”

“…In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Pause. Pray. Proceed. Pivot when needed, even if it stirs the daily agenda off course. Even if there is so much to do, practice the pause. In the presence of urgency, be intentional in slowing down and seeking the Lord. Sometimes, new years can feel like that too, with the pressure to start “right,” or to jump into leaping strides of change. There is power in the pause though, and in resting in God’s presence. It is there we can lay down our expectations and even those of the world and pause to refocus what has become cloudy. We can pause to rest, release and rejoice.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:4-7)

Pausing doesn’t cause us to miss the promises. Pausing helps us lean into the Lord, our Promise Maker and Promise Keeper. There is freedom in releasing everything, including our expectations of the year and even each day, allowing for the promptings and pauses He brings. There is warmth in His presence, where His promises are. Jesus is the promise. He is the answer and our reminder forever that God always keeps His promises. “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (‭‭Psalm ‭73‬:‭26‬). He is our strength, provision, and portion for everything. Through Jesus, we have completion, our forever portion. May we look TO Him and FOR Him in the mundane, the daily needs, the deep longing of our souls, and the pauses, too. The more I slow down, the more I see the beauty of the present season instead of asking the infamous question one of my children asks on car rides of any length: “Are we there yet?” 

How often can we be like that? How frequently can our vision become foggy if we do not intentionally slow down to defrost our windshields? 

While this literally happened that morning, it is a healthy rhythm that can be applied daily. It may require us to pull over and “defrost” more than we want to, but when God calls us to pause and take care of something, may we faithfully do so. On that specific day, God reminded me of many things, including the necessity of refocusing, of pausing, of stillness. Even if we wish we could speed up the car rides, days, or the winter to be in the sunny smiles of summer, there is warmth in God’s presence always. There is everything we need. How are we pausing to BE in His presence today? 

It may not be the cold requiring us to slow down, but is there something we need to slow down to take care of? Let’s look to God and for Him as He refocuses our lens because we can’t do much with foggy windows, nor should we want to. In our coming and going, pausing and doing, God is Who He says He is. Look to Him and for Him right here and right now. 

The Art of a Messy House Reflection: Where do you see God’s warmth today?

What promise are you declaring? 

What fogginess do you need to pause to “defrost?”

What are some ways you can pause this week and even today?

We must be intentional about rest. Read the commandments in Exodus 20:1-21. What do verses 8-11 specifically ask us to remember? What do you notice is different about this commandment from the others? 

Remember to rest. Be intentional about rest. We can live with rhythms of rest within each day, too. Some practical ways include pausing to pray, practicing a hobby, deep breathing, journaling, walking, taking a relaxing bath, listening to worship music, getting outside, and laughing. Another way to pause and be intentional is to set a time for fasting. Sometimes, amid the busyness, significant decisions, and transitions, or even when our feelings try to tell us the lie that God is absent, we must draw nearer. God is always by our side. 

“However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matthew 17:21)

Times of prayer and fasting achieve that goal of drawing nearer to the Lord. Biblical fasting is a way to hit the reset button on our souls, bringing restoration and renewal. Sometimes, amid what seems like a wilderness, God is moving around the pieces for our good and His glory. He is always working. Our Heavenly Father cares so much about us that He brings us rest right here and now. Remember to rest and to rejoice there too for God is worthy of all praise.

Other verses to read: Hebrews 4:14-16

Dear God, You are so kind as to offer us rest and call us to rest. You are our rest and safe place. Forgive my hurrying steps, anxious heart, and distracted eyes. Help me walk as the new creation You made me. I pray to be intentional and to pause to be in Your presence. Thank You for the gift of being in Your presence. Your presence is enough. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

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♡ Stay tuned for more news about season 3 of the podcast. (Start date will be forthcoming. I am super excited about this one!)

♡ “To the Beat of My Father’s Heart,” a collection of daily inspirations, will be released soon as well as the “Practicing the Pause” challenge #4. This study will be centered on the Sermon on the Mount. 

Be blessed, and always remember you are so loved! ♡