I often find that the most powerful, peaceful moments are the ones when we pause.

Pause to reflect. Pause to listen. Pause before we speak. Pause before making that big decision. Pause to seek His wisdom. Pause to take in the beauty around us.

The world around us may not have a pause button, but we can choose to pause. The world may see pause as hesitation, but we can see pause as peace. Pausing is a perfect time for reflection with our Father God.

Even if we’re not in “go” mode, it doesn’t mean we’ll miss anything. What if Jesus is inviting us to stay rather than to go? Yes, there is a time to go, but there is also a time to stay.

Jesus speaks to us in the quiet, and He speaks to us in those moments when we choose to pause from all of life. As I have reflected this week, Jesus has taken me on adventures looking back and anticipating the new that awaits. The most sacred moments are the times I choose to pause, just Jesus and me.

Reflection. It’s so good for our hearts. And so good for our minds.

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

I am so grateful for those sacred moments of reflection that still my heart. He has taken the unlovely thoughts and changed them to lovely. And those adventures of looking back have revealed how He turns everything into good.

Reflection can slow us down. And while the world tells us to keep going and going and going, our hearts know that slowing down is a good thing.

Reflecting is an excellent time for us to grow, to grow forward.

So friends, let’s pause this week!

Take a break. Remove the unnecessary from your calendar. Read a book. Go for a walk. Take in the wonder of this changing season. There’s peace in the pause.