Catching a breath, tired body and feet, meeting targets, rushing for deadlines – have you experienced that before or are you feeling that now? You’re ready for the silent scream, wishing to say, ”I need a break!”. No one can deny that today, we live in a world of ”fast and rush”. While it’s usually acceptable for work, business and other areas, it is totally unacceptable when we take our time with God in a ”fast and rush” way.

With our busy schedules, we sometimes mismanage our quality time with God.

We forget that it’s okay to pause – to slow down in a while and meditate on what God is speaking to us each moment of the day.

Most of the times we wonder why things did not went the way we prayed for it, or the way we wanted it without realizing that it’s us who missed God’s direction. The time we accepted God’s call, it is imperative that we must heed His call. Here are four simple ways to get started:

Pause. Spend time on His word. Instead of wasting your time on unfruitful hobbies and after-work activities, scan your Bible. Prioritize your Bible reading plan. Meditate on His word (Joshua 1:8). You’ll discover that obeying God the right way requires understanding His word carefully and doing them correctly.

Pause. Ignite your appetite on prayer. Set a time wherein you can’t entertain interruptions in talking to God. If it helps to turn off your mobile phone, laptop or other devices, then do so, in order for you to keep focused on Him. Remember, God is not your client, and you don’t have to brag about a proposal or achievement. He is your King yet He wants you to be just yourself, humbly coming to Him and communicating with Him (Philippians 4:6). Be committed to that schedule you made.

Pause. Find quiet moments to ponder. It doesn’t mean you need to go on vacation or an island to find solace. Even in your own room, before getting up to bed or taking a rest, you can have that moment (even in lunch breaks). Clear your mind and think of God. Think of what He’s leading you to do. Make it a goal to hear His voice (1 Kings 19:11 to 12). Reflect and in each moment that you’re about to say or do something, ask yourself, ”How can I please the Lord today?” (Jeremiah 9:23 to 24).

Pause. Get active in His work. Put in mind that you’re a joint of His body (Ephesians 4:16). When you don’t function, the whole body suffers. Don’t take any church responsibility for granted because it counts to God more than our earthly positions. Whether you’re a doorkeeper, gospel tracts distributor or church driver, be excited about it! Prepare for your tasks and do them diligently. If you aren’t involved yet, take the initiative to offer your availability to your local church. If you have given much of your time for 5 to 6 days of work, why won’t give a day for God? After all, without Him, we can do nothing.

I see that you have taken a pause while reading this. I give thanks to God for that. It is my earnest prayer that out of this fast-moving world we live, we can take time to slow down, pause and reach out to God.