Today’s Reading:
Matthew 11
Hebrews 4
Psalm 32
James 4
‘“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”’
Matthew 11:28-30
I heard the Spirit of the Living God say,
You have been living in the fast lane, but I Am bringing a detour. I’m bringing an off-ramp for those who are willing to take it. I Am faithful on the road less traveled. Just has I have guarded you and upheld you as you insisted to blaze forward in the fast lane. So too, I will be with you, guard you, protect you and guide you forward on the off-ramp to a road less traveled.
“Now the promise of entering into God’s rest is still for us today. So we must be extremely careful to ensure that we all embrace the fullness of that promise and not fail to experience it.”
Hebrews 4:1 TPT
Some might call it the scenic route, but that’s not bad, is it? You can’t see or enjoy very much of your surroundings in the fast lane. This is a year and a time to stop and smell the roses, to go off-roading and to enjoy the view. Time for contemplation will be needed this year. Time for rest and recovery are needed this year. Time for joy, fellowship, communion and celebration are needed this year. I’m inviting you to depart from that fast lane over there on the left and take this next exit on the right, where you can live in the abiding peace of Me, where you can enjoy the and be refreshed in the the peace I bring.
‘I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before. Don’t make me tug you and pull you along. Just come with me!”’
Psalms 32:8-9
Unity is to be found, solidified and treasured here. It is to be protected here. It’s needed now and in the days ahead. The go it alone mentality of the fast lane won’t cut it on the scenic route. Help, partnership and pulling together is absolutely needed here. The days of futility can draw to a close, when and as you embrace true meaning, connection, partnership and togetherness. Unity is the way forward. Unity is the road less traveled. A spirit of kinship — people of one heart and one accord is the road less traveled. I can tell you this, the fast lane will get you to a destination, but you will miss a whole lot along the way. On the road less traveled, the journey, the foibles, the laughter, mishaps and friendship is the destination. You can constantly be present here. And as you move forward, you can enjoy the journey, knowing that moment by moment as you walk in step with me, you are exactly where you need to be. It’s time to leave the fast lane, and depart onto the road less traveled.
How to Respond
- Pray, Lord, help me to accept your invitation to the road less traveled. Help me to leave the fast lane in my rear view mirror, so I can live at a pace that enjoys all of the gifts of life that You have given me and will bring me on this new path. I’m not very good at the scenic route yet, so help me discipline my mind, will and emotions to continue to choose it until it becomes my new way of moving forward.
- Declare, “Does the Scripture mean nothing to you that says, “The Spirit that God breathed into our hearts is a jealous Lover who intensely desires to have more and more of us”? But he continues to pour out more and more grace upon us. For it says, “God resists you when you are proud but continually pours out grace when you are humble.””
James (Jacob) 4:5-6 TPT - Decree, Where the Lord leads I will follow. I choose to leave the fast lane and move off this highway onto the scenic route that the Lord has prepared for me — with refreshing, peace, joy, laughter, enjoyment and friendship. I will not neglect the things He’s called me to do, but I will move at a new pace and make room to enjoy the gifts, people and life He’s given me.
For more encouragement from The Glory & New Wine, check out the post from this day in years past:
2025:
2024:
2023:
2022:
2021:
