“Abide in me as I in you . . .. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5.
I am a do-er. I stay busy. I do things. I pride myself on getting things done and accomplishing things. Until recently, I never had a free moment in my schedule. And most of the things I did with my time involved accomplishing some end, getting something done.
There are times in my life when I have been so busy and gotten so much accomplished, I had no idea how I was doing it all. People would say things like, “I don’t know how you have the energy.” And I would reply, “I don’t either!” Sometimes, it would be overwhelming. To get through those times, I would just focus on taking the next step. The big picture of all that had to be accomplished was too scary, too big. The next step, in contrast, was do-able. And step-by-step, I was able to accomplish incredible things.
Lately, I have realized that it is much more difficult for me to get it all done. I grow tired. My attitude is not the best. I find it hard to focus.
What’s the difference?
I read a devotional yesterday from Christian Resource Ministries Lent Devotional Series that focused on the verses above. The devotional focused on “doing” and “being” and the distinction between the two. It focused on the importance of abiding in Christ and how doing so confronts our self-reliance. It talks about how when we abide in Jesus, he abides in us, which empowers our endeavors.
The conclusion of the author of the devotional is stated as follows:
“. . . I have learned that when prayer and action are balanced, doing flows out of being. In this posture, I am freed from the need to find my significance in what I do. I am able to step out of the performance trap that I have lived much of my life in. Rather, I live to enjoy the sweet presence of God. Being in Christ results in the presence of Jesus radiating from my life and impacting others. It ignites my doing, and I am able to live out my calling more effectively.”
I think I know why my work has not been more effective lately. I’m trying to do it all on my own. I’m not focused on being, but rather am focused on the doing. I’m holding on to it tightly, depending on my own self-reliance, and not letting God work through me, as I have done in the past. My insistence on doing it on my own is hindering my work. My attempts to glorify myself, or define myself, through my work are not being honored.
It is only when God works through me for His glory that my work becomes easier and more effective.
God, help me only to focus on abiding in You so that my work and accomplishments are Your work, which glorifies and honors You.
