READ: 1 CHRONICLES 16:11; PSALM 23; LUKE 5:15-16

When I was in college, I distinctly remember being overwhelmed by various assignments. It felt like there was never going to be enough time to finish everything on my to-do list. I was exhausted and irritated. I felt like there was no relief in sight.

I knew I needed to keep up with my devotions, because I knew that was important, but how could I give up time to do that when all the assignments had deadlines that were quickly approaching? The priority of the tasks that needed my immediate attention continued to outweigh spending time with God.

But I continued to feel more and more exhausted. I felt like I was still drowning, like I would never finish everything on time.

I had put it off long enough. I decided to put my assignments to the side and spend time with God. And you know what? I felt so much more refreshed. I felt like I could accomplish my tasks in a better way and faster than ever before.

Too often we are quick to look at the things we need to do in this world and put them above our relationship with God. We think that spending time in His presence is going to slow us down and keep us from getting things done. But He wants to refresh and renew us. He wants to remind us of His unconditional love, a love that has nothing to do with our performance. And He wants to give us the strength we need to keep going—or redirect us if we’re going the wrong way.

In those moments when we’re busiest, what we actually need most is to slow down and spend time with God. • Tynea Lewis

• Can you think of a time when you were extremely busy and you felt your stress level growing? In times like these, it might seem irresponsible to put your to-do list to the side and spend time with God. But the truth is, even though God cares about the things you have to do, He cares way more about you. He invites you to lay your worries at His feet and rest in His love, remembering that Jesus has already done all that was needed to save you when He died and rose again. And Jesus is with you every step of the way, ready to help you do the good things He has called you to do.

• What are some ways you like to spend time with God? We all need to be in His Word, but maybe you also like to journal, sing worship songs, talk to and praise Him through art, or go for walks and enjoy His creation with Him. How could you do at least one of these things today?

But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16 (NIV)