Spread Too Thin
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (ESV)
Busy! Busy! Busy! Is that you? How can a young, bearded dragon remind us to slow down and rest in the Lord? Yes, our days are full of deadlines, schedules, and activities. Are we spread too thin? Probably! During this Lenten season, perhaps we need to make some changes. Read what Tracy Crump (All God’s Creatures) learned from her adventure in Florida.
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One warm February day, my husband and I visited north Florida’s Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park. We had toured most of the animal exhibits, seen the dolphin and sea lion shows, and listened to various keepers’ chats. After passing the alligator and crocodile enclosures, we happened upon a lizard of some type sunning itself on the white sand. A keeper stood nearby and identified the stunning fellow as a bearded dragon.
Despite the imposing name of his species, the dragon’s body was only six inches long with a tail about the same length. He was a beauty with orange eyes, dusky beige hide, and rows of soft spikes lining a triangular head. But it was the little lizard’s stance that caught my attention.
“Why is his body all flattened out like that?” I asked. “Is he trying to make himself look bigger and more intimidating?”
“No, he’s a pretty docile creature,” his keeper said. “With the cold temperatures we’ve had, he’s just coming out of brumation, which is kind of like hibernation. He’s loving this sunshine and spreading out to expose as much of his body to the sun as he can.”
I laughed. Though I like to catch a few rays myself, I don’t usually flatten myself into a pancake to do it.
Unfortunately, I do tend to spread myself a bit thin in other ways. Writing, editing, speaking, and traveling can leave me little time to spend with my Jesus. Sometimes I have to pull back to catch the “Son.” Jesus’s light warms me through time spent with Him and rejuvenates me, like a cold-blooded animal coming out of hibernation. With renewed energy, I can then spread the good news about my Savior to others.
WALK OF FAITH: Study or think through your schedule and see where you can pull back from something to spend a few more minutes with Jesus, reading His Word and listening to His heart. You might be surprised how much His light energizes you.
Holy God, thank You for reminding us to give up our business to find refreshment in You. Please renew our hearts and minds during these days. AMEN.