Take A Mid-Week Pause
As a child, I vividly remember the frantic hunt in our house for the remote control. Each family member would do their part to uncover couch pillows and get on hands and knees to peek under the recliner. It took searching and seeking. It took effort and energy. It became exhausting when the search dragged on. Yet the greatest reward came with sitting down on the couch with the remote control in hand, feeling victorious like you were back in control of the living room. It was then time to stop and pause to watch your favorite show.
Is that a metaphor for our lives?
We all strive and strain, work and overwork, push and pull, and keep going through task after task without end in sight. But like the search for that lost remote, our souls are often frantically looking for something—control. What if the remote we are really searching for is rest? And the button that is most needed to press is—PAUSE.
Parched creates welcoming spaces and transformative resources that lead people into a deeper encounter with Jesus.
In other words, we want to help people who feel parched and worn out to accept Jesus’ invitation to pause consistently and frequently.
This email represents a new, small way for us to invite you to take a Mid-Week Pause to cultivate a few moments of reflection and renewal for your soul. As we find our writing rhythm, we pray that you find these mid-week pauses as helpful cues to pause, as sacred holy minutes, and that each week these offerings become a beneficial click in your inbox instead of deletable trash.
So let’s try it. Let’s take a mid-week pause.
Check in with your soul. What words would your soul speak as to how you are feeling right now? Be honest with God about where you are at with life, others, and God.
Psalm 63:1
You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
Take 30 seconds to just pause. Literally, close your eyes, take three deep breaths, and repeat these words in a gentle whisper over and over and over again: “Come, Holy Spirit, come!”
Take a moment to read each of these verses slowly. Each time, listen to Jesus approaching you with his tender kindness and compassionate heart. Jesus is speaking to you now through His Words.
Matthew 11:28-29
Jesus saus, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.”
Picture Jesus inviting you. Picture you accepting his invitation of a holy and restful pause.
Let’s end with beholding the beauty of God Almighty. Think of the most beautiful part of God’s creation you have ever seen. The Milky Way. The smallest ant. Waterfalls. A lion yawning. The smile of a baby.
Psalm 46:10
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
We are proud of you for pausing. It’s important. The speed of our lives has gotten faster and faster over the decades. Taking a pause with Jesus is one of the greatest ways to fight the enemies of hurry, doubt, and selfish desires of the heart. This week, your fingers will push a lot of buttons - letters, emojis, play, record, and many more. The invitation is to hit the pause button for your life as well. We all need a mid-week pause.
Take a few minutes to pause and reflect on these questions.
How is your soul?
How has hurry hindered your intimacy with Jesus?
What is Jesus inviting you to partner with him in the week to come?
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