Friday - November 7, 2008

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Isaiah 30:15-18


This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it.

You said, 'No, we will flee on horses.'
Therefore you will flee!
You said, 'We will ride off on swift horses.'
Therefore your pursuers will be swift!

A thousand will flee
at the threat of one;
at the threat of five
you will all flee away,
till you are left
like a flagstaff on a mountaintop,
like a banner on a hill."

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!


(NIV)
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Multitasking

by
David Muyskens


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In quietness and in trust shall be your strength. (v. 15)

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With a telephone headset I can be doing other things as I am talking
on the phone. I can be writing on my computer, planning an event,
cooking a meal, drinking a cup of coffee, checking my schedule on my
BlackBerry, and conversing with someone -- all at the same time. We
call this multitasking. It has become a way of life in our 21st
century society.


When we pray we take a vacation from multitasking. For a time we let
go of all cares except one -- to be in a loving relationship with
God. Our whole being becomes centered in the One who is the Center of
all. We take time out to be with God and be aware that God is with us.
We close down our other tasks simply to receive the transforming love
of Christ.


It's true we can do a lot of praying while engaged in other tasks. We
may feel that our busy schedule demands such multitasking. But we also
need to build into our schedule time when we give our undivided
attention to God, time when we are fully receptive to the presence of
God and responsive to the action of God. Prayerful resting in God's
love is what enables us to meet the many responsibilities to which we
are called.



Holy Trinity, we thank you for both rest and work. Amen.