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Time-Out! By John Gould A time-out is not only useful in sports, it can be a time of rejuvenation you call for yourself.
n athletics such as baseball or football, a time-out is often called when the team needs to stop and consider what has to be done. How about you? A time-out can be called any time we need to confer with someone else -- a parent, a mentor, a companion, a subordinate, a family member, a friend -- even God. Steady makes ready
Football teams practice the "two-minute drill" when they need to be especially focused on their playing, the timing and especially the player-to-player assignments. Both basketball and football are sports that depend tremendously on timing, and seconds can separate success from general disorder and failure. No one deliberately wants to fail in this life or in our sports and recreation. One way to ensure that we do have the optimum opportunity for success is to occasionally take a time-out. Jesus took time-outs Jesus Christ is the perfect example for all humanity -- not just for the pastor of a church, not just for the deacons, not just for the family next door, but also for you and me.
Following this prayer time, conferring with God the Father, Jesus appeared to the disciples by walking on water. That's the kind of regeneration and renewal that taking a time-out with the right person can bring! God also makes a special opportunity for us to have a time-out to confer with him. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden," Christ says, "and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). Perhaps you've read this passage and this promise before. But perhaps you never noticed the possible connection with baseball, football, or basketball. It's there! One of the best times to take a time-out is when you are already alone. Perhaps when walking between classes or taking a coffee break at work. It helps to stop momentarily and lift our eyes upward from the ground, where we tend to avoid stumbling over the many obstacles in our way. It usually gives me a refreshing surge of mental and spiritual energy, a surge that can often last for an hour or more. Checking the field
This can be looked at like a quick time-out. We need to make a decision but still need time to think. We grab a quick look at reality and are able to regain focus among the chaos around us. We can take a breather and refocus, maybe repeat portions of Bible scriptures or just refocus on what is important. There are hundreds, even thousands, of ways that a time-out can be utilized. Every once in a while we must take a time-out! Copyright 2008 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
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