Good morning and welcome to Making Space Monday! As women we are powerful, multi-taskers, bright and filled with His Spirit; we are the daughters of the King.

But we also have a weakness –a propensity to overbook and do too much. So why on this beautiful Monday morning at the beginning of the new school year, am I addressing this? It’s because we start off the fall refreshed from summer, eager to take on the change of seasons and responsibilities, but by mid-year, we are worn out and by May we are often burned out. It is key as we enter this season that we also take stock of what we are doing and why we are doing it.  This is my topic today because we women (and men reading, you are not exempt) take on more than we are called to do. And then we complain, get irritable, don’t do the things we really need to do or even take care of our own needs. I know. I have been there and sometimes I still go there. It’s a dark place and not much fun.

Jesus puts it this way:

Are you tired or worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. Ill show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me; watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11: 28 (The Message)

 If Jesus does not put anything heavy or ill-fitting on us then who does? We do and others do…  and we allow it.

How to avoid this? How to throw off this ill-fitting garment?  We do so by making space for God; by making Him the single most important person in our lives. He has clothed us with righteousness as believers, and He will not put a heavy fitting garment on you. That’s on us.

A few months ago, I had an incredible dream. My husband noticed that I was weary, over-committed and worn out. In the dream, he put his hand up and said; ” Shhhhh…” A very gentle message quieting my soul, not a SHHH.. as in stop talking, but a message that spoke to my soul to be still. The most amazing part of this is that I discovered through reading an article that the sound of a baby in the womb sounds very much like a “shhhh…” sound.

Surrender brings rest

How many of you have lost your joy?

How many of you have lost your peace amidst the hectic world we live in?

How many of you feel as though you are on a hamster wheel of anxiety?

How many of you are running on empty?

None of us can escape the frenetic pace of our world.

BUT GOD…

has shown us an alternative way of living. And this is by His Presence listening for the Shepherd’s voice (John 10:10). His voice alone brings His sheep to safety and ushers in His peace.

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations.” Psalm 46:10

Be still in this Scripture is not a passive stirring of our soul, it is an active stirring in our soul allowing the Lord to speak to our hearts. Be still in this passage actually means stop whatever you are doing that steals your peace.

Friends, it’s time for all of us to turn our lives from busy to significant; from anxiety to peace, making space to hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit.

If this blog resonates with you, come join me on Thursdays live as we study the letter to the Romans or by streaming. More information can be found here.  You will discover that you are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus and that no matter what you face, He has the answer and He will bring you peace.