The Wisdom to Do Less

When you've been doing way too much.

Lately, I’ve been tackling my deep desire to “be somebody” and instead challenging myself to respect God’s position as everything I need. But it’s hard to trust that a humble path in a capitalist society can yield fruit. 

Still, as I read Bible stories of how God proved himself faithful to those who believed and obeyed him, I’m inspired to model my life after the saints of old. 

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

Once we realize that we are only alive because of God’s grace and for his divine purpose, we are free to release ourselves from the pressure to be something we’re not
as we embrace the fullness of who we are. 

We are children of the Most High, and his commandments are easy to follow. They are simply to love him with wholehearted devotion and treat one another with kindness and respect. Everything else is extra. 

But the beautiful thing is that God builds our character to serve and allows us to experience joy. He gifted us sunlight, land, food, galaxies, animals, relationships, and life. Yet, we still become tempted by the forbidden fruit of idolatry. Rather than accepting God’s good and perfect design and relying on his provisions, we listen to the devil who lies to us about what else is out there.  

God is not withholding any good thing from us. And we would do well to remember that. Nothing achieved in our own will is worth anything if it isn’t attached to the will of God. All of our selfish plans will fail. 

So, what would it look like to chill this season?
To be still and know that there’s nothing to prove? 

It may seem countercultural to be content, but the Lord grants rest to those he loves (Psalms 127:2). This means it’s time to end our meaningless striving as a culture once and for all.