The World Around Us

I spent another day at the Mayo Clinic with tests for my stomach underway.  This morning I was struck with appreciation for little things; my perspective was planted in the moment with gratitude for so many things.  As the day continued, my heart went up and down as I watched patients come in and out hooked up for chemotherapy.  I was struck by the strength of people and humbled by stories I was able to hear throughout the day from people from so far away.  As the day progressed my heart became burdened with how many people have cancer (and the list of diseases goes on).  I started to feel the world collapse in with sadness.  By evening, I actually became quite crabby (good thing I was alone).  

Then I heard God speak to me.  "Focus on me."  "Look at the world through my eyes."  I went down stairs in the hotel lobby to read my bible.  I had my i-Pod on and heard a song that I was meant to hear.  It was "Stop the World" by Matthew West.  It expresses part of what was on  my heart today as I watched so many people battling cancer.  

A million distractions stealing my heart from you. I'm tired and empty; life is relentless.  It weakens my knees and breaks my defenses. It's wearing me down and I'm desperate to hear from you. Stop the world- I want to get out.  I need to escape from this crowd just to hear you.  Speak to me.  I need do be still before I make a move.  I need to be humble with nothing to prove. I need your word to show me the truth.  I need time, precious time. 

Stop the world, I want to get out.  I need an escape away from this crowd just to hear you.  Speak to me. Stop the world, I'm ready to listen. Give me a vision of heaven that I can hold on to. Stop the world, I need some time with you.  Before I can find my voice, I need to hear your above all this noise.  Stop the world, I need to be with you. 

When living for today, we must not follow the crowd- we have to step away for a new perspective- a God's perspective of love and hope.  In him, the world is not about illness; it's about how Christ has healed all illness for once and all.  It's not about us having to fight and be strong; it's about Christ's strength in us.  After I heard this song, I felt strong and I saw hope for people. 

In the world, life is all about us but with a vision of heaven, life all about Christ.  May we empower each other to live today with that vision.  May we find time to escape to spend time listening to His voice so we know how to move through the crowd- so we know how to filter the distractions.  For tonight, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28.    


Rest well for tomorrow is a new day to live for today!  ~AT