Stop It!

Question to think about: Do you need to stop?

During a class break, a clip of an old television scene with actor Bob Newhart was played. Bob Newhart, acting as a psychologist, repeatedly gave two words to his patient: "STOP IT!" At the end of the day, we all need to evaluate the things that get in the way of our mental, emotional, and spiritual health . . . and STOP whatever is hindering us.

When we live a certain way for a period of time, it becomes our normal. We convince ourselves that we are "okay." That said, those who risk changing will discover freedom . . . liberation . . . health . . . and fulfillment.

The life story of the woman at the well (John 4) changed when she dared to ask Jesus how to live beyond a lifestyle of existence. The woman entered a discussion with Jesus:

Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back."
The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!" The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him.
(John 4: 16-23, NRS)

The woman chose to stop . . . to turn around from the way she lived life . . . to see the truth that Jesus was and is God with us . . . to receive the offer of true life . . . to enter into a lifestyle of health and wholeness . . . to worship in spirit and truth.

Enter into a discussion with Christ, God with us.
Ask to see the things that hinder you from living a healthy and whole life.
Determine to STOP IT!
Live the lifestyle of health and wholeness . . . make time throughout the day to worship . . . in spirit and truth.
Be aware of the presence of Christ, God with us, throughout the day and worship.

Learning with you to STOP IT!
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)