Made for a break

When we look at the life of Jesus, we are witnessing what it means to be fully human. Have you ever noticed how often in the Gospels Jesus stepped away from ministry and went to pray? Jesus reveals to us that we are made for regular daily rest and time to be with the Father.

Make time to waste time

In terms of productivity or entertainment, prayer and quiet with the Lord can seem like, well, a waste. Perhaps we feel as though we don’t immediately get anything out of prayer or silence. At the same time, we have to remember that prayer is simply being with the Father. It is spending time with the one who loves you perfectly and unconditionally, and knowing that he is pouring out his grace into your life.

How to just “be”

It can be hard to know what it looks like to stop “doing” and just be with the Lord. This Lent, let’s focus on a few ideas to practice resting in and with the Lord.

• Time with a friend. Consider scheduling time each day to be with the Lord in prayer as you would with a friend or loved one. Maybe this is coffee with Jesus or going on a walk with the Lord. Plan a time to intentionally invite him in!
• Lectio. Whether it's at a park or in your room, praying with Scripture and listening for what the Lord wants to speak to you through his Word allows you to encounter the Good News of Christ each day. Lean into Scripture knowing that God is speaking to you as his beloved child.
• Daily bread. Visiting the adoration chapel or going to daily Mass allows you to soak in the presence of our Eucharistic Lord. Through the Eucharist you can take him with you as strength and peace into your daily routine.
• The nap. You can even invite God into your nap time. If you have a go-go-go schedule, God might be encouraging you to lay down once in a while and take some rest. After all, God spoke to St. Joseph four times in Scripture while he was asleep!
• Listen. Being with the Lord can also be time to practice simply sitting and listening. God gives you the breath of life each day and you can invite him to speak to your heart, mind and soul anywhere.
• Get it out. Each and every day we can invite God into our hearts and experiences. We can share our struggles, anxieties and hurts with the Lord through journaling or simply talking things out with him. He longs to help you carry your burdens and joys each and every day.

However you fast from busy-ness and noise this Lent, remember that God is longing to love you and always awaits your “yes” to be welcomed in. Being with the Lord means entering into a deep relationship with him which can involve walking, coffee, writing, breathing or simply listening. For the next few weeks, take a break from the “go” and lean into rest with the Prince of Peace in new and powerful ways.