Downtime

Main Scripture Passage:  “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10a
 
Related Scripture Passages: Psalm 37:7a and Zechariah 2:13a
 
As a number of my friends and acquaintances were retiring, I asked them how they kept busy.  The common response was, “I’m so busy now I don’t know how I found time to work!”  
 
Since retiring on January 31st, I found their response to be true.  My time each day is now split between traveling, golf, and work around the house.  All things I consider both enjoyable and relaxing.  But there were a couple of things that I was having trouble carving out time to address. Specifically some research I needed to do that dealt with a couple of real estate transactions.  I definitely needed to slow down a bit and kinda be still.  
 
So yesterday, 110 days into retirement, I’m sitting in a condo in Atlantic City with nothing planned for the day and feeling frustrated as there is only so much TV to watch and naps to take during the day.  I felt like I needed to be moving, doing something, anything.  
 
Well at 0433 this morning, day 111 of retirement, I awoke from a sound sleep and it dawned on me what I was desiring was some downtime.  Downtime to do my research, and it was being handed to me on a golden platter.  Duh!  Oh, and while I was awake I may as well go to the bathroom.
 
Anyway…as I was thinking further, a thought came to mind that maybe, just maybe, there is a parallel here for our Christian walk?  Maybe we all need to slow down and carve out time on a regular basis to “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10a)  “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him.” (Psalm 37:7a)  “Be still before the Lord.” (Zechariah 2:13a)  Seems like God is kinda “foot-stomping” this “Be Still” point!