I rustled through my desk looking for the card I bought for my brother for his birthday. My hands pulled out a stack of papers, unfolded them, and then I noticed Mom’s cursive.
I stopped.
My fingers touched her words as if by touching the ink, I could hold her hand. She’s been gone for years.
Sometimes being human means receiving unexpected moments as they waft into the present.
But in all honesty, I haven’t always been welcoming of “being.”
I have lived a hustled life. Always piling more so I could somehow be more.
Subconsciously, I believed that the more I accomplished, the more value I had. The more I did, the more successful I became. And even further—the more I did all this, the more God loved me (bad theology red flag!)
What lies have you believed about your value and your productivity?
Maybe we need a reality check. (Or is it just me?) What is really true when it comes to pursuing a life where we flourish?
3 Essential Truths to Flourish in Life
1. The antithesis to productivity is not laziness, it’s presence.
When the Israelites were stuck in slavery, they were fiercely productive—but miserable. When I interned at a corporate public relations company in college, the execs were successful as far as income and clientele, but personally, they seemed miserable.
And when I used to believe that my success in life, my meaning and purpose, was to do as much as possible for God—I too was miserable.
Because we we place supreme value on productivity (or anything we do)—it is never enough.
And we miss the nourishing, satisfying life where we flourish following Christ.
We don’t need more. We need to be present more.
Jesus Christ, our utmost example, only did what the Father gave Him to do (John 17:4). He walked in the limits of humanity—literally, He walked. He didn’t run when Lazarus was dying (John 11). He remained present. He didn’t push people aside on his way to heal Jairus’ daughter because He had “important things to do,” He stopped and healed a woman who was bleeding for twelve years (Mark 5).
Friend, the goodness, beauty, and wonder of a life where we flourish is right in this moment. With God. Walking in, with, and for Him.
Productivity was never His goal—nor should it be ours. Presence is the sweet spot of dwelling with God in the world.
Productivity Outflows from Presence
The interesting thing is, as we learn to practice presence, we are able to focus. And as we focus, the Spirit can help us discern what to do and bless the doing.
In other words, our practicing presence leads to Spirit-led productivity.
To others, our life might not look that different, but these internal changes—change everything.
As my husband said the other day, “I am enjoying that you are present with us instead of thinking about what needs done.”
Presence leads to a purposeful and life that flourishes.
The antithesis to productivity is not laziness, it’s presence.
2. God loves us all the time, no matter what.
Another loud idea we sometimes believe is we earn God’s love—like a young child playing basketball to try to earn the joy of his father. We strive to be good and do good. Maybe then, God will love us more somehow.
Friend, this also is a lie.
God’s love exceeds human capability or understanding. His love is infinite and unconditional. As Paul says in Ephesians, His love surpasses our knowledge. And as 1 John 4:19 tells us, “We love because He first loved us.”
3. Our purpose is to follow God and do His will.
We constantly encounter messages for us to live for certain purposes, that can send us in so many directions.
For example, as I scroll through my Instagram feed, I am inspired that I should live for a healthy body, family vacations, and ideal quiet times with coffee and a Bible. Or maybe I should live for homeschooling and traveling the United State in an RV while being the CEO of a company. Or perhaps I should live for building a platform or for fighting human trafficking.
The swirling thoughts can make anyone anxious.
The reality is, God made us finite.
In other words, we have limited time, energy, and resources.
That is the way He designed us! Even Jesus in His humanity walked in the Father’s will—he didn’t run. He left many unhealed, many unspoken to—but He did the work God gave Him to do (John 17:4).
Friend, God has not wired us to do more, do more, do more. He has wired us to only do the work He gives us to do.
When we draw near to Him, He draws near to us (James 4:8) and His Spirit leads us to do His will—whether in the middle of climbing out of a pile of emails or folding piles of laundry.
Let’s not let the idea that how much we produce measures our value.We are valuable because God made us (Psalm 139). Let’s be with God and follow Him.
YOUR TURN:
Which of the three reminders do you need most today?
1) I am valuable because God made me.
2) God loves me all the time.
3) My purpose is to follow God and do His will.
Take a moment to meditate on this verse:
Jesus prayed to God: “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.”
Talk to God:
As you move throughout the day, ask the Spirit to help you see the work God has given you to do. Keep returning to a place of prayer (quick, silent prayers work well to keep us focused on God). Pay attention to the nudges of the Holy Spirit and follow what you think He is leading you to do (Remember His leading never contradicts the scriptures).
Prayer to get you started:
Father, help me to be present in this moment and every moment of the day. Stir my heart to be aware of Your presence and be fully engaged so that I can live the moments well instead of numbed or distracted. I desire to live for You. Amen.
