According to a study by Columbia University, there are significant benefits to sitting down to eat a meal as a family. The study concludes that when we eat more meals sitting down together good things happen.
…”everyone eats healthier meals, kids are less likely to be obese, smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, try marijuana….their grades will improve, they’ll talk more…there will be less stress and tension at home and your child will feel like you’re proud of them….”
Just as sitting down to relax and eat a meal is good for you, sitting down and resting to take in spiritual food is just as vital and beneficial.
The Book of John tells of Jesus miraculously multiplying a boy’s fish and bread to feed around 15,000 people. I was recently reminded that during this extraordinary event, Jesus specifically asked the people to sit down to receive the fish and bread that He provided.
John 6: 10-11 says: “Jesus said, Have the people sit down. There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”
We live in a busy world and we all need to slow down and rest when we spend time with God. At times it seems like we opt for spiritual “fast food” rather than taking the time to sit, contemplate, pray, listen and rest. When we do sit quietly to receive the spiritual food God has for us good things usually ensue…..like peace, we feel nearer to God, we have a sense of greater purpose and fulfillment and a renewed strength, etc.
If the famous chefs Paula Dean or Bobby Flay were at our disposal day and night, I believe we’d very likely find lots of time in our day to sit and take in their world-class cooking and scrumptious meals. Why go to McDonalds when you have Bobby Flay cooking for you?
Consider this gentle encouragement to spend restful, silent time with our loving heavenly Father as he fills us with spiritual food for our hungry souls.
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Got Two More Minutes?
….below are scriptures that share how Jesus modeled time alone with His Father
as well as other scriptural reminders to be in silence before God.
Mark 1:35: “And early in the morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there.”
Psalm 62:1 ESV: “To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.”
Lamentations 3:26 ESV: “It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Psalm 46:10 ESV: “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Job 29:21 ESV: “Men listened to me and waited and kept silence for my counsel.”
Psalm 62:5 ESV: For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.
Luke 5:16: “But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.”
Luke 4:42: “And when day came, He departed to a lonely place; and the multitudes were searching for Him, and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from going away from them.”
