Well that was intense. I sat across the restaurant table from my beautiful wife, having just rolled into town from a 5-day camp where I spoke to teenagers about spiritual warfare. It was an incredible week, where kids were delivered from addictions, overwhelming negative thoughts and found wholeness in Christ. As I sat there though all I could think of was, “I am so tired. I just want to sleep for a week.” Perhaps you’ve been there before? How does one recover from such an incredible and exhausting spiritual event? Well I will share with you 4 things I plan to do…
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1 The week was great! But it was busy. I need some down time. I need some time to just dwell in the shelter of the Most High. “But Mike, there is so much to do! My family needs me to do…”. I get it. Me too. There is a LONG list of things to do. But first… rest. Just breathe. I will still accomplish my tasks, but I will do them at a slower rate. I’m already planning my nap time. Spiritual rest ALSO includes “dwelling” with God. My mind races after a camp like experience… “I wanna change the world! I want to feed children and start new ministries and…” STOP. First rest. Just be. A few days ago, a friend gave me some great God advice. “Mike take your hands of this thing so God can put His hands on it.” Let go, let God. Just rest. So instead of riding out the adrenaline wave till you crash into the rocky shore; stop and dwell with the Lord. 2. Enjoy being home. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2 Home should be a safe place; a sanctuary. Enjoy being home and find comfort in the sanctuary. Shut down the brain for a bit and do a puzzle or board game with the kiddos. Sit on the front porch with a cup of coffee and listen to the birds sing. It’s a simple trick that allows God to bring you back to a place of “normalcy”. Camp was high octane! In fact, I woke this morning with an unction to JUST GET GOING. But there is no need. Just chill. 3. Reflect on the goodness of God Seriously. You just saw God do some incredible things. ASTOUNDING things! Think on those things and thank the Lord in prayer. Perhaps dig out that old journal and put pen to paper. Record what you experienced so that later down the road you can REMEMBER. There will be times in the coming year that you may have a spiritual dry spell. Journal your camp experience so you can be encouraged when those days come. And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. Deuteronomy 8:2 Remember what happened, so it can lead you as you LIVE for the Lord. 4. Remember you are under GOD’S protection. I wasn’t home 5 minutes when the deceiver already tried to squash ALL that the Lord did in my life this week. But I remember that I am protected from that ridiculousness. Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. Psalm 91:3-4 Satan will try to tell us that those miracles that took place at camp were a mirage or fake. But we can tap into the protection of the Lord by saying… “Oh no, I know it was true. I know that the Lord did a good work. Now I’ll bask in the protection of the Lord. Surely He will save me…” What an incredible weekend! I plan to rest and recover so that the Lord can use me in the coming days to accomplish His good and perfect will. Grace and peace to you friends, Mike.
2 Comments
Mark Paulson
7/29/2017 08:25:03 pm
Hey Mike, I just want you to know how much Bryce appreciated you being at camp and speaking. Your words and wisdom moved him and we are so thankful for you. God bless you and your wonderful family! The Paulsons
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Mike
8/4/2017 07:36:59 am
You are such a blessing to me! Thank you for the encouragement.
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