The Power of NOT getting things done.
Have you ever gotten a lot done and ended up with a lot of “doo-doo”?
In his grace, the Lord slows us down. Sometimes it feels like we are imprisoned, trapped, curtailed, and frustrated with regard to our lust and striving for our forward progress.
Here are a few possible benefits to being restricted. We might learn:
- To be thankful
- To be less anxious
- To quiet down
- To be alone without being lonely
- To die to old ways and habits and desires
- To recognize and grow in faith, love, and hope
- To suffer well
- To grow up and mature
- To appreciate the Lord Jesus
- To appreciate the imprisonments of Paul and other Bible greats
We are by God designed to be human BE-ings, not human DO-ings.
“God, I’m not trying to rule the roost, I don’t want to be king of the mountain. I haven’t meddled where I have no business or fantasized grandiose plans. I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content. Wait, Israel, for God. Wait with hope. Hope now; hope always!”
(Psalm 131, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language)
“We are by God designed to be human BE-ings, not human DO-ings.”
It seems to me it’s both. Being first leads to doing. We must be do-ers. Doers of the word, not hearers only. Our commission requires a lot of doing “…teaching to observe – do, everything I commanded you.”
“and be sure I am with you always…”
What I find slowing me down is more my lazy flesh. It has lots of other priorities. I have no problem slowing down to take naps, I have to be careful of this.
Thanks, Tim! Doing! Yes!
Galatians 5:6 is helpful for me to seek being before doing (or, When the plane loses pressure put on my oxygen mask first before helping others.) I like the orders of: πίστις διʼ ἀγάπης ἐνεργουμένη which translates “faith through love working” (energizing, doing).
And, Naps are good too! Jesus took them! LOL!
Slowing down is good especially in this crazy multitask society – truly exhausting ! Take me back to 1990 Lol
1990! LOL, Mandy!
Maybe it was after that that we started partying “like it’s 1999”
Daniel, the prophet, writes about crazy speeds in the last days.
“…Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.” (Daniel 12:4, ESV)
I know you rock with the best Rock—Jesus Christ!
“as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 9:33, ESV)