Relax and trust
Our God says, “Calm down,
and learn that I am God!" ~ Psalm 46:10a (CEV)
Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. ~ Mark 6:31 (NLT)
God, I am so very happy each time I read these words. Everyday the pressure is on to rush more and do more. And I really want to make everyone happy. But I just don't have the amount of time or energy necessary to do all that is demanded of me. So when you invite me to slow down and get some rest I start to understand the value of your message. Help me figure out how to say "no" to the people who expect too much of me. Give me wisdom to do that. And also help me to shut off the voice in my head that keeps telling me that I need to do one more thing. I don't. I do need to relax and trust you. Amen.
TRANSLATIONS
ABP = Authorized Boydston Paraphrase — my own freestyle biblical adaptation — somewhere between paraphrase, commentary, and sermon
CEB = Common English Bible (©2011, the Common English Bible)
CEV = Contemporary English Version (©1995, American Bible Society)
MSG = The Message (©1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson)
NIRV = New International Reader's Version (©1996, 1998, Biblica)
NIV = New International Version (©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011, Biblica)
NLT = New Living Translation (©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, Tyndale House Foundation)
