The day was long and exhausting.  It was one of those days I felt like I was holding on for dear life as the day sped on twisting and turning like a roller coaster.  I couldn’t quite get my feet underneath me and it was all I could do to hold on with my white knuckle grip.  My grip was slipping.

I was in transition between activities last week, driving from the lake to my next commitment when I noticed a praying mantis on the hood of my car that looked like he was having the same kind of day as me.  I didn’t notice him until the car was already in motion with nowhere to pull over.  This little guy was hanging on, crouched down to make his body as aerodynamic as possible.  The wind stream shifted him once but the praying mantis regained his grip and continued to hold on for dear life.  It seemed he was in a helpless hopeless situation.  As I started to slow the car for a stop light, the praying mantis finally let go and flew off.

As I sat at the stoplight hoping the little guy was alright and his high speed ride wasn’t too much for his buggy body, I realized I was like that praying mantis.  I often find myself in the midst of a busy day holding on as if my life depended on it, trying to make it through the day without flying off the ride of life.  I tend to pack everything into my day so I have no time to spare, no time to slow down, no time to focus on the things that are really important.  I miss my time to focus on the One who can help me through all the craziness life has to offer, the One I can cling to instead of clinging to the busyness of life.  I struggle to hold onto the high speed roller coaster ride of life, much like my little praying mantis friend, instead of holding onto my Savior!

When the car slowed, the praying mantis finally let go and released his aerodynamic grip on the car.  Is that me?  Am I only willing to let go of the busyness of life when things slow down?  Do I only let go of my nutty schedule and turn my focus to God when I “have time”?  In reality I should cling most to my Lord when things seem to be spiraling out of control, when life is one giant super speed roller coaster and I’m on the ride screaming for it to slow down.  I should be calling out to the Lord for help, seeking him for comfort, a refuge from the insanity of life.

I often find myself trapped on life’s roller coaster, as I’m sure many people do.  It is all too easy to push Him aside on those busy days and say I will get to my Bible later or I’ll make sure I pray this evening.  Then the whole day slips by and I realize I have, yet again, neglected God.  In those times, I need to intentionally make time, take a moment to turn to the Lord, pray to Him, ask Him to help me make it through my impossibly busy day.  Instead of waking up and barreling into the day, I need to slow down and focus on Him.

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:1-3a

Why is it so difficult for me to turn to Him?  He wants to restore me.  He wants to give me rest.  Why can’t I accept it some days?  Why does life have me so trapped in its busyness that I can’t, or won’t, take a moment to turn to Him?  He is always there, always waiting to give me the refreshing, restoring rest I need.

Psalm 23:1-3 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible.  When I read these verses I see myself lying in the beautiful green pasture, cool breeze blowing over me as I listen to the babbling brook knowing God is watching over me.  When my life gets the most crazy this passage brings me back to calm.  I need to hear it.  I need to accept His offer for comfort and rest.  I cannot survive like the praying mantis, holding on with all I’ve got as the busy road of life takes me wherever it wills.  I need to escape the insane schedule of life and accept the comfort and rest He is always willing to offer.

My prayer for you today is, whatever your day looks like, you are able to receive the comfort and rest of God.  The comfort and rest he is ready and willing to give as long as you are ready and willing to receive.  Imagine yourself lying in the beautiful green pasture, still waters by your side, God watching over you.  What could be more refreshing than that?