Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

This is an article from 2011, which appeared in our local newspaper, The Coosa News:

Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

I was caught!  Yes, caught in the very act.  Caught by one of the teenagers…and the sad thing is he took the picture.

On Wednesday I have an extremely long day and sometimes I have to take a few moments to rest, relax and, well-sleep, nap, take a Siesta-before finishing the day with any number of important and sometimes stressful events.  There may be a meeting, a conference, or some crisis to handle; but most importantly is the Adult Bible Study and Prayer Meeting.  I want to be my best, so sometimes a little rest is in order in the afternoon.

One particularly quiet Wednesday afternoon, as I sat at my desk, pondering the importance of the Book of Leviticus in the great scheme of life, my eyelids began to droop and my mind turned to mush.  Even fighting the urge which was drawing me into the deep recesses of total darkness and sweet rest, I could not seem to rally from the invitation.  I went to the kitchen for a cup of Java, walked downstairs and up stairs, but nothing was going to break the spell which seemed to be placed upon my body.  Nothing but a moment or two of “shut eye.”

Leaning back in my chair, I closed my eyes, folded my hands upon my chest and decided to rest just a moment.   An hour later, I was awaken by one of the teenagers, we call him “Bear,” sitting across the desk from me, grinning and that mischievous twinkle in his eye.

He said, “You were snoring.”

Wiping my mouth and rubbing my eyes, I replied, “I got sleepy and needed some rest.”

He was holding his mobile phone and said, “You were asleep, and I got your picture.”

I asked him to send it to me, on my mobile phone, and sure enough, there I was a picture of deep, satisfying, spiritual sleep.  We laughed, as he enjoyed his moment of “catching me.”  Then the afternoon turned to evening and everything was forgotten.

Until I was up loading pictures from my mobile phone to my Facebook page.  As I reviewed the pictures, I noticed this picture of the “evidence” got mixed into the album.  I thought, now I know my thinking can be very flawed sometimes, no one would notice and it would just be another picture among countless others.

Over the past few weeks, it seems this picture of the “Pastor at Rest” has become one of the most talked about, examined, and dissected pictures on my Facebook page.  Comments have been made ranging from serious observations-one questioning the coffee in the cup-to outright accusations that this is the normal activity of the pastor.  When I attempted to explain the pose-eyes closed, face turned to heaven, hands folded across the chest, seeking divine guidance from the great I AM-I was labeled a lair that was sound asleep and snoring. (Well, Bear, your right I was asleep and snoring, in the presence of the Father.)

Honestly, I have enjoyed the fun banter and the opportunity to share this picture, for actually there is a beautiful message in all of it.  God said, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:11 KJV)  This is often one of the most difficult things to do.  We live in such a face paced world; driven to be the first one to obtain whatever we are after.  We go here, run there, and rush to do this or that; always in motion, so we can get ahead of the clock and ready for another onslaught of some other project or deadline.  Never once do we consider slowing down long enough for the Lord and a quiet moment with Him.

God wants us to slow down for Him, spend time with Him, and let Him talk to us.  Sunday is not the only day we need this time; we need to take time everyday for Him.  Whether you take time to spend with Him in a devotional, or a Quiet Time, or daily Bible reading, or just quietly listening to Him; all of these are good, because His call to you and me is, “Be still, and know that I am God.”

If you need some suggestions, I would be happy to share a few.  One reading plan you can use it to take the book of Proverbs, reading each chapter for the corresponding day of the month.  Do this for the entire year, and see what God says to you through the wisdom of Solomon.  Another avenue to take is purchase a copy of “My Utmost for His Highest,” by Oswald Chambers.  Whatever you do, take the Word of God and read it this year and allow it to be a time of refreshing for your life.

Now, if you will excuse me, I hear Him calling my name and I think maybe it would be a good time for me to lean back and spend a little quiet time with God.  You know, folded hands and face turned to heaven with my eyes closed…but wait, I think I will lock the office door this time.

I may post the picture here when I find it...