Have you ever felt like your life is a rat race? You wake up in the morning and jump on the treadmill of to-do lists. Your weary soul struggles to keep up with your rapid pace. You’re so locked in on the endless tasks that you’ve lost sight of the bigger picture of why it all matters. In this place you grow increasingly irritable, disillusioned, and depressed.

I’ve been there and fall into this place time and again. Between my responsibilities as a pastor, husband, father, and friend, I can feel like I’m always trying to get things done and take care of everyone on the list. The voice in my head says “Just leave me alone!” Eventually, the voice becomes a reality and I get short with people. It’s not my best look, but it’s where I can get when I’m in this place.

“Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.”

Isaiah 40:26

Here’s what I’ve found to be true: when I lift my eyes up to the Lord, my soul remembers what’s truly important. When I lift my eyes to heaven, I remember I’m made by God and to enjoy his love and goodness. My to-do list isn’t my purpose. Loving God and others is my purpose. As it has been said before, we’re not human-doings, we are human-beings.

For me to break out of this place of irritation and depression, I have to slow down and lift my eyes to the Lord. I have to pray in a way that’s not rushed. I need to truly go into his presence and open my heart to his leading. I need to breathe in and out and just be still for moment. I need to look up into the sky and be in awe. I need to spend time reflecting on Scripture and hear God’s word. Then, everything starts to shift towards joy and peace.

I stop seeing my kids as work and start seeing them as gifts. I stop seeing work as a check-list and find the purpose and motivation for meaningful next steps. I let go of what doesn’t matter and begin to take hold of what God is calling me to value most.

The Lord’s calling us into peace, patience, love, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. He doesn’t want us to rush through to-do lists. He made us to enjoy him and enjoy the day he has made.

When my soul is weary and life feels like a rat race, I will lift my eyes to the Lord. I will remember he is my Creator, and my good Father. In his presence, I will be free again.