Learning to Let the Season Slow You Down

0:00Life Audio Thank you for tuning in to your nightly prayer, a podcast designed to help you rest and connect with your father in heaven as the day ends. God is ready to meet you in this moment of peace as you settle into sleep. After this short word from our sponsor, we'll encounter tonight's devotional, learning to let the season slow you, written by Chelsea D'Amathes and read by your host, Brooke McLaughlin. Hey listeners, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We know life gets busy and sometimes it's easy for your faith to get pushed to the side. That's why we created the Good Word, a free weekly newsletter designed to give you a moment to slow down, be encouraged and reconnect with what matters most.

1:01God's Word. Inside you'll find devotionals, guided prayers, podcast recommendations, and other faith-built content we think you'll love. No ads, no clutter. Just good content to help you stay rooted in God's Word throughout your week. Sign up for the Good Word today at lifeaudio.com forward slash the Good Word. That's lifeaudio.com forward slash the Good Word. Tonight's scripture, forgot alone my soul waits in silence. From him comes my salvation. 1. Somed 62. One. Something to ponder. One of my favorite things that has developed in my faith is that a season of slow isn't a form of punishment. It's a gift of respite. We live in a culture that gives busyness a badge of honor. People celebrate when one is spinning a dozen plates about their head

2:06with commitments and needs. But what I've learned is that way of living will eventually crush you. God created us with limits and a need for slowness with good reason. The human heart needs invitations to rest and recalibrate. We see this all throughout the Bible. People would be called into a season of private intimacy with God. It grew them and gave them an opportunity to dwell in the presence of God without the world's needs vying for their attention. Somed 62 was written with the intention to invite us to wait on the Lord in his clear direction. It frees us from thinking we have to walk through life carrying the weight of all the decisions to make. Instead, we have the gift of going to the Father with all of our decisions. We get to take every care and worry to his feet. We get to sit in a posture of rest and slow, though it feels like the world is passing by at a breakneck pace. Think of Noah

3:10in what was taking place into his heart and mind when God asked him to build an ark. This was a slow process, a work that took great time and the Lord's direction. God gave every detail, and Noah had to wait upon the Lord for what to do next as he waited for the inevitable storm. When the storm finally came, Noah had a heart of praise for he had listened to the Lord and done the work that others thought was useless. His season of slowness provoked outsiders to look at him in confusion, yet he persisted in walking faithfully forward in God's calling. What is God asking of you? Has he asked you to be still or to slow down? Is he calling you to rest in his presence as he brings clarity to your life and the circumstances you find yourself in? Whatever the asks are, lean in, set down the million and one things at his feet and ask him what he'd like to do in this next season of your life. Slow seasons are gifts.

4:18Stillness reminds us that God does not need us to always be doing things for him. Rather, we need to listen to him intently, embrace the silence, praise him for the words he will speak, and let slow joy mark your journey ahead. You are a nightly prayer. Father, thank you for the invitation of slowness and stillness. Our culture tries to tell us that being busy and tasked with a million to-dos somehow makes us better and more worthy. Holy Spirit, please convict me when I fall into that trap. Strip me of what you have not asked me to do, and remind me that listening for your voice and direction is the most important thing I can do. Give me the confidence to live differently from the world. Please help me lay down my pride and what hinders me from slowing down and trusting what you're doing. Make me a hearer and doer

5:20of your word. Keep me tethered to your feet and your plans. In Jesus' name, amen. Three things to meditate upon. Number one, what has the Lord asked you to lay down? Two, how can you live more still? And number three, do you take your cares and needs to the feet of Jesus? Reflect on tonight's prayer and share how God met you there. Join the your nightly prayer discussion on the crosswalk forum. Thank you for listening to your nightly prayer, a production of the Life Audio Network. If you found comfort and inspiration in tonight's prayer, be sure to follow and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow today so you never miss a moment of peace and reflection to end your day.

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