Do you remember that childhood game? Children would line up and the teacher would hold up a green circle symbolizing, “Go,” and all the children would speed across the room. Next a red circle would mean you had to, “Stop!” And everyone would abruptly come to a halt.

Similarly, life itself can feel a bit like, “Stop and go,” just like the childhood game or even driving around in our cars. We stop at the red light and wait for the green light to go—only in real life, sometimes the red light seems really long in our waiting.

In our society of impatience, no one likes to wait. However, red lights in our lives don’t have to negatively symbolize waiting. Instead, we can positively utilize our “time of waiting at the red light” as an opportunity to openly ask God about what He is growing into our souls and what does He want to open our eyes to see.

As I get older, some of the best moments I enjoy are when I stop—soaking in bits of quiet time with Jesus. This can look like reading my Bible over a cup of tea or singing along to worship music while I do kitchen chores, praying as I drive to collect the children from school or simply sitting still in those little pockets of time when the house is peaceful. These are moments where I can approach God’s throne, surrender my own desires, and humbly ask that He helps me to discover all that He wants me to be part of in the current season of my life.

As we continue through the season of Advent, I encourage you to slow down a bit. Instead of an attitude of, “Go, go, go,” perhaps you need to learn to, “Stop!” There is such a plethora of Christmas activities to participate in, but what is really necessary and meaningful? You don’t have to do it all. From extra church services to nativity plays, Christmas parties, and seeing festive lights, there are many lovely things to do with the family. But if saying, “No,” to one activity creates more time for you to focus your mind, heart, soul, and strength on what God would like to teach you this Christmas season, then so be it!

Waiting. Seeking. Preparing my heart. Making more room for Jesus. Waiting in expectancy that I am in God’s will, unfolding day by day. By God’s Spirit, I want to be ready to, “Go,” or “Stop,” at His command. Will you join me in learning the balance of red lights and green lights this Advent? As we make more time to focus on God, may we be ready to hear His gentle whisper to us.

The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

1 Kings 19:11-12