The Art of the Pause
How to Cherish the Now with Lisa Harper
Celebrated author, speaker, and Bible teacher Lisa Harper brings engaging style and authentic narrative that make biblical truths accessible and relatable. With a storied career in ministry and a deep passion for spreading the gospel, Lisa’s warmth and wisdom capture the hearts of a wide audience across the globe.
Imagine sitting down for coffee with author Lisa Harper and getting a chance to chat about life’s pressing questions. That’s just what Taylor Anderson from Family Life Radio did, uncovering insights that speak directly to the heart of living in the moment. In our conversation today, you’ll experience Lisa’s compelling reasons for cherishing the present over dwelling on the past, revealing the deep spiritual insights that guide her life.
Choosing to Pause in a World Obsessed with Rewinds
Have you ever wished for a magical remote with buttons to pause or rewind your life? Imagine the possibilities: revisiting joyous moments or erasing past errors. Yet, when faced with this whimsical choice, Lisa responded without hesitation: “Pause! Pause! Pause!”
When asked why, she replied, “Because it just sounds so—Hallmark card—but it’s true.” Lisa openly rejects the notion of rewinding to alter her past, firmly stating, “I don’t think I’d change anything even in my rebellion. Not to anyway glorify sin, but what I learned in restoration and in God’s kindness even in discipline.”
“I don’t know that I would change anything as much as I would spend more time leaning into the embrace of Jesus.” ~Lisa Harper
Lisa’s words invite us to view every phase of life, including our missteps, as essential chapters in our spiritual narrative.
“So pause to me just sounds so much more restorative,” Lisa shared. “Rewind almost sounds like filtering. Like I’m trying to fix past mistakes, and I’m like, no, He redeems and restores. I don’t need to fix that because through those divine spankings. He’s grown me, and I’d rather have scars than spiritual plastic surgery.” In her view, to pause is to fully inhabit the present moment, to savor and extract wisdom from it, under the watchful eyes of a redeeming Savior.
Scars are symbols of survival and testimonies of faith.
Lisa continued, “Scars just remind you of how much you need Jesus.” They remind us of our journey through hardship and the transformative power of God’s love. They’re not imperfections to be erased but proof of our resilience and God’s persistent grace in our lives.
Spiritual Restoration in the Pause
In the pause, we allow ourselves moments of stillness amidst the chaos—a time for spiritual renewal and reflection. “I tend to go really hard. Pausing, to me, sounds like a spiritual jacuzzi.” Lisa said.
In these quiet moments, we can reconnect with God, reassess our paths, and replenish our spirits. It’s not about laziness; it’s about intentional moments of connection and reflection that rejuvenate our souls and prepare us for what’s next.
We hope Lisa’s insights inspire you to appreciate your life’s unedited narrative, seeing each moment as a God-given opportunity to learn and strengthen your faith.
Let’s take a moment right now to pause. Reflect on your current place in life and appreciate how far you’ve come. We’d love to hear about times when pausing helped you see God’s guidance or how your scars have shaped your faith. Share your stories with us; they’re not just your own—they inspire and connect us all in our collective journey.
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