Wednesday, July 9, 2025

New Testament Reading Plan: Hebrews 3

I wake up each morning with “Hey There Delilah,” “Dial My Heart,” or a thousand other possible songs in my head. I pause to thank God for bringing me through the night, and after hearing noises that indicate sleep, I thank him for doing the same for Erica. Then, I quietly sing whatever song is playing in my head. Today, it was “Christmas in Hollis” by Run-D.M.C. The routine is a must, or the song repeats throughout the day.

If you ever ask what I’m thinking about, and I say, “nothing,” feel free to call me out, because my mind runs nonstop. Sometimes, it’s a word or smell that triggers a memory, perhaps I’m working on creating a character, or rewriting a paragraph in my head. In rare moments of randomness, I might wonder if I’ll ever get a pair of those shoes from Back to the Future, Part II. Occasionally, more thought-provoking scenarios riddle my mind.

I’ll dive into a project that consumes too much time by dissecting every sentence and second-guessing the approach, delivery, and tone. I take moments to educate others and wonder if it was more offensive than helpful. Was it my need to be right or an opportunity to offer growth? My inner dialogue becomes muddled, turning my mind into a maze of mistrust. Thankfully, focusing on God during my chaos eliminates much of the stress.

Psalm 46:10
Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.

Even if your mind runs 100 miles per second, God can slow down to your speed to give you time to catch up to what he’s trying to tell you. Don’t be negative with your words. Free your mind of clutter. You’ll have time if you make time for God. He whispers confidence that only you can hear, so slow your mind to focus on God’s thoughts for you.

Be still and trust God’s intentions for your life. Believe in who you are with God instead of listening to who you are by yourself. If the thoughts you create are too loud, then quiet the noise around you. Take a timeout from social media, turn your TV off, and go for a walk without anything in your ears. Experience God’s whisper in silence. It’s always louder than you think.

Questions:
How do you connect with God in restless times? What does it mean for you to be still?

Next Steps:
Schedule time to experience God in meditation, prayer, and walks. Limit your distractions by going device-free while growing closer to God.

Prayer:
I want to know who I am in you, God. I want to see myself as you envision me as your child. I want to walk with the knowledge of being loved by the one who knew me before I thought I knew myself. I want your whispers to drown out my thoughts. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:
Psalm 85:8
I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.

This post was written by Jaron Camp, a Findlay attendee and regular contributor to the Daily LivingItOut.