I hopped on the treadmill in the exercise room of the hotel where we stayed on our recent vacation. Hoping to elevate my heart rate and burn a few calories, I started walking. However, something unusual happened. The more that I exerted myself, the lower my pulse rate registered on the machine. The treadmill told me that the faster I walked, the slower my heart beat.

Knowing this couldn’t be the case, I accepted the fact that the reading for my pulse was incorrect.

Sometimes when we try to exert ourselves for the Lord, our heartbeat for him can actually decrease. It is possible to get so involved in church meetings and activities that we actually grow farther away from God.

Sometimes less is more. Many people need to trim their schedules in order to allow more alone time with God.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him…”—Psalm 37:7.

Have you checked your pulse lately?