The time spent in timeout is not always reflective of a child’s bad
behavior. On the contrary, when children
of God practice this routine it is the very thing that they need to maintain a healthy
state of mind; achieve good physical fitness; and excel spiritually.
Enjoying timeout on a regular basis requires discipline and
follow-through, because it is most difficult to separate ourselves from cell
phones and computers. It is a challenge
to begin the tenuous task of achieving success in this area, but it is not
impossible to attain.
Sadly, many people miss out on the refreshing regeneration of mind,
body, and soul. I believe if timeouts
are implemented, this act of dedication will allow individuals to reflect upon
pleasantries of past events that once brought joy and feelings of fulfillment when
living life was not so busy and hectic as it is today. I can attest that it takes effort to achieve
positive results when trying to establish timeouts.
It goes without saying that this impulsive generation of thrill seekers
is more prone to become enthralled with new found technologies of advanced
products, at competitive prices, as never before. These grand discoveries directly influence
people everywhere as to how they live.
It seems that most everyone is trying to keep up with the latest
innovative achievements in hi-tech breakthroughs.
These advancements have a way of captivating one’s interest in this
hustle and bustle society of fast-track enterprises and space-age
ingenuity. The very nature of profound
inventions, coupled with the brilliance of seemingly limitless knowledge,
create a drafting affect on everything and everyone in its jet stream.
It seems we are being caught up in a supersonic time warp that not only
takes from us our peace of mind, but steals the tranquility of well-being and
solace from within. The wake that is created
by mounting pressures can pull us ever onward into the darkness of despair even
though computer gurus and programmers are determined to make life easier and
less stressful with their latest inventions and newest software.
It is easy to get caught up in the frenzy of day to day living and
yield to the influence that high technology exudes, which can become a person's daily routine. The freeways are filled
with bumper to bumper traffic, with people on the brink of road rage as they jostle
and compete for too few lanes, while struggling to come and go. It seems like everyone must be somewhere to
do something; always on the move.
Seldom do people stay home to rest and unwind in timeout, while life kicks
into hyper drive with ongoing quests for satisfaction and obtaining things. It would be good for our eternal soul if we
could program our mind with the following thought; (Lasting contentment is
seldom found in things).
(Mark 8:36), “For what will it
profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
In this head spinning whirlwind of seeking fame, fortune, and material
goods, I have found that enjoyable thoughts are seldom generated from years
past when life was slower and less frantic.
The failure to decelerate and just-be-still takes precedent over
calmness and self composure.
Too often, people surrender to the fast pace of life without taking
time for themselves. They worry about ongoing
problems that computer glitches create; the decline in stock values; and the constant
threat of identity theft; as they grapple for the latest craze in technical advancements. They convince themselves that these matters
are the normal surroundings of life, while they submit to pressure and allow
the seduction-of-progress to regulate and rule their life.
These and similar problems produce the pressure that trouble and
enslave the mind. It can develop into vexation of spirit if allowed to
consume time and thought process. But there
is healing in timeout. It helps to sooth
mental strain, enables the body to renew itself, and draws us closer to God.
We must guard against becoming caught up with the challenges that we so
often create for ourselves. The
inexhaustible data that we feed our brain and the desire for material gain tire
the mind. Soon, an inner craving to
break free from this bondage becomes an everyday struggle.
The mental taxation of trying to figure out ways to keep up with the
times overwhelms even the strongest mind.
This merry-go-round type of existence surrounds any person that submits
to it. If they fail to provide an avenue
of escape in timeout, to replenish peace within, frustration becomes
aggravation, and with aggravation comes exasperation.
The walk of faith is difficult when Christians become impulsive or
headstrong in their dealings. When they
think they will miss out on the deal of a lifetime if they wait, calamity can
be just around the corner. If they fail
to investigate, thoroughly, the ins and outs of a situation they are involving
themselves with in order to make a deal avail itself, they can blindly venture
into the clutches of regret, because of greed or the desire to possess.
For this reason it is a necessity to push away from the computer; cease
to surf the internet; and withdraw from all dealings for a period until such
time that we have had a timeout with God.
It is there that we learn to relax our mind and see where the Lord would
have us place our next step. We must
include God in every area of our life.
(Psalm 37:23), “The steps of a
good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”
When I set my phone aside and turn off negative news reports on television,
my mind finds comfort and support in the quite moments of relaxation. This period in timeout regenerates my ability
to face another day in this computer age of hyper speed living. I receive strength when I commune with God
and He with me.
Without timeout being a part of our routine, it becomes almost
impossible to hear the voice of God speaking.
Many things compete for our time, but as long as we recognize our
limitations regarding time, and we learn to govern time, we gain insight that
time is the greatest commodity that we have.
This is the first step in walking closer to God.
When I tune out the world and go into timeout mode, my mind and heart
are open to receive encouraging thoughts from God that I would otherwise
miss. These thoughts act as a
springboard to propel me to higher heights in Christ and a deeper realization
of His love for me.
If Satan could monopolize all of our time with “stuff,” he would. He knows that when we are in timeout
listening to God, rather than going and doing, we draw nigh to Him and Him to
us. What can compare to this, or what could
be more important and beneficial to our well-being?
Yes, achieving goals is important, but when a person allows ambition to
override good judgment and they become fixated on things rather than God, the
joy that Jesus came to give can be lost.
Jesus came to bestow life more abundantly, not a mere existence. Achieving things is nice, but when we permit
things to control and dominate our very existence, life ceases to have meaning.
(Matthew 6:19-21), “Do not lay up
for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where
thieves break in and steal;” vs.20 “but lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in
and steal.” vs.21 “For where your
treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
When a person fails or ceases to take timeout for God and the things of
God, such as, Bible study, prayer, and benevolence, before long their days are
filled with the cares of life and the desires of this world. Peace slips away and the needed enthusiasm it
takes to live a happy life begins to fade into dissatisfaction. Frustration settles in like the bitter cold
of an Arctic, winter storm.
The chorus that was written by Helen H. Lemmel, says is well. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full in His
wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim; in the light
of His glory and grace.”
Establishing dedicated times for timeout is a good thing. It teaches accountability that is coupled
with responsibility. Just as children
learn obedience in timeout, we too learn lessons in this all-important time of mental
and spiritual renewal.
Written by,
Papa Boyd
