Thursday, March 20, 2014

Be

So about a month ago now I was cruising down the highway on my way home from a long day of clinical, and I passed a church that seems to be classic for having those cheesy church signs. You know what I'm talking about?

Well this one made me mad. I read it, quickly re-read it, and then felt my blood pressure rising as I continued my drive.... appalled.  It said:

"He is watching. Look busy."

My heart starts racing as I type those words.

Really? The very last thing I need to read right now is to "look busy." I think that's the last thing any of us need to read right now, especially here in the U.S. where busyness seems to consume us as a culture.

No, no, no.

The amazing gospel of God sending his son Jesus Christ to rescue us, to deliver us, is not at all about looking busy. It is not about doing one more thing. It is not about performing.

It is all, all about grace. Period.

Yes, we could get into a debate and give this church the benefit of the doubt about what they meant by this sign. I usually do try to give people the benefit of the doubt, at least I think I do. But even if this was well-intentioned, as in wanting us as Christians to make sure we are living lives serving and glorifying God and making intentional choices about what we are doing through God's calling, this is certainly not how it looks. As a Christian, this sign made me mad. If I was a non-Christian reading that sign, I would have gotten the completely wrong quick glimpse of the gospel.

It's all about God and not about me.

Psalm 46:10: "Be still and know that I am God."

Stop.

No really, stop.

I was blessed to be part of a day-long women's retreat this past Saturday. The leader had us begin our time by sitting, palms open, for 3 minutes, completely quiet, stilling our racing thoughts. I was amazed at what God revealed to me in just 3 minutes of truly quieting my soul. I just kept hearing the word "calling." Calling. Calling.

Calling.

This year is bringing a lot of changes for our family and especially in the forefront of my mind is what my new job will be as I graduate from grad school. I have often been prone to the "shoulds" mentality. You know, the "well, as a Christian I should probably serve people with this kind of job," or "I should get involved in that ministry at church because they need someone," or "we should have them over for dinner because it's a nice thing to do."

Blah blah blah.

It's all meaningless if it's based on the nasty word should, with no calling of the heart behind it.

What are the things that I'm called to?
What are the things I'm only doing because I think I should do them?

I'm not saying there is never a time or a place to do the shoulds. I'm pretty sure I've never actually felt called to do my laundry.

But really, what are the things I'm called to and what are the things that need to be weeded out in order to more fully grow and blossom for God to multiply my efforts in the areas he has called me to?

My heart and mind are messy. They are in need of God... in need of Jesus. They do not need me to become busy doing another thing. They need to be quieted, to be stilled, and to listen for God's voice to call me in the areas He wants me. It's about being first and then doing what he has called me to do.

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know.

Be still.

Be.









1 comment:

  1. Fabulous my dear daughter; amen and amen! And Lol about the laundry (-: !!

    ReplyDelete