A Purposeful Pause

You may have noticed that I love to ponder on words. In this blog, let’s ponder the word PAUSE. 

Here are some phrases that will assist us in looking closely at the word. 

• Purposely Pause to be in the Presence of Jesus 
• Practice Pause to form a Purposeful Habit 

From the beginning, in Genesis, God created for six days and then paused on the seventh day for rest. God Himself paused. Throughout the life of Jesus, we see examples of His purposeful pause. He had the practice of removing himself from the crowds of people surrounding Him to sit in quiet for rest, restoration, and solitude seeking guidance from His Father. 

John 4:4-6
Jesus, tired from His journey, sat down Jacob’s well. As He paused at the well, He was able to focus on one woman with meaningful life-changing conversation. 

Mark 4:39
Jesus, needing to retreat from the crowds, boarded a boat to go to the other side of the lake. He paused from the crowds. He paused to rest. And He paused the storm. 

Luke 6:12-13
After leaving the synagogue, Jesus went into the high hills to spend the whole night in prayer to God. At daybreak, he called together all his followers and selected 12 from among them. 

I want to pause the flood of information received on my phone and my email inbox. I want to pause the demand for constant responses that occur from so many sources. I want to pause the things that rob me of time and attention causing a distraction from the ONE that gives me hope, joy, direction, and peace. 

I am going to grab this word and hang on to it so that I can refocus and lean into my life-giver and sustainer in all things.

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Written by WMU of Texas President Jackie Faughn