I have lived a majority of my life priding myself on my ability to accomplish and produce and operate at a high level and at a fast pace. I grew up learning to perform and was critiqued and categorized by my abilities and accomplishments. This instilled an unquenchable drive for excellence and an intrinsic motivation to be the “best.” Accomplishing more meant that I was able to handle more than the average person. “More is always better” I attached a lot of my self worth to accomplishment without realizing it. I remember being asked years ago by a mentor “when do you just sit quietly in the presence of God?” to which I replied, “I don’t rest. I’m too busy accomplishing things for God.” I knew the truth of the Word, but in my subconscious I thought that performing and accomplishing for God made me more loved. How foolish… Praise Jesus for his gentle patience with his children. How merciful He is to convict and correct us.
In my reflection and self work and rooting into my church family this past year, it has been made evident that this overcommitted, productivity obsessed version of me has shaped the way I show up in all my spaces: frantic, rushed, distracted, prideful….I now understand how resting in God is a command because it is a gift filled with rejuvenation and revelation. Trusting God enough to stop striving and rest is an act of surrender and obedience.
What do we think we can actually do for God? He’s already done ALL there is to do.
Less is often better. The biblical pace God invites us into is slow and rhythmical. It’s completely opposite of the pace this world entices us to become a slave to. The pace of cultivating a relationship is dynamic and conversational.
In this new era of being a homeowner, I have discovered a contentment and peace I haven’t felt before in just BE-ing. I am learning to re-craft the pace of my life. I no longer believe it is a flex to respond to people when they ask how I am doing with “BUSY.” We make time for what matters most to us. “Where our treasure is there our heart will be.” (Matt 6.) For too long my heart has revealed that I treasure significance rooted in Do-ing & performing at a certain level and being viewed a specific way from people and from God. My prayer in this new era of my life is to treasure cultivating an intimacy with my Heavenly Father more than anything else. I want to hunger for the secret place; for slowness; an aching for prayer; yearning to practice hearing the voice of God.
I pray this speaks to your heart like the Lord has been speaking to mine 🤍🕊️