“Be still and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
After seeking advice have you heard you just need to do MORE?
I am a doing MORE kind of person—a classic over-achiever and I am very good—an expert really—at adding more and more duties to my life. To prove my point, I submit my Christmas card marathon!
I carefully pick out my Christmas cards several months in advance. I personally stamp a return address, lick the postage stamps, neatly handwrite all the addresses—some compiled from current contacts in my phone and some from my older collection of 3×5 address cards that has been carefully maintained for over 40 years. After finishing these tasks, I often add extra stickers on the outside of the envelopes not only to make them more interesting but also more fun! Then, using my best cursive in the proper ink color I sign our names inside each card and carefully enclose my hand-folded creative letter that I spent hours revising. I finish with a flourish by licking and sealing each envelope with a sigh. Yay! Another love missive of hope and inspiration is on its way!
But when my energy gives out, even thinking about doing MORE feels like walking in quicksand in a dry, parched desert without a drop of water in sight. I know I am vulnerable because what I need cannot be found within myself or in the advice of others—and it turns out that the pressure to do MORE is really an indicator to actually do LESS—to be still and do some serious soul-searching—and look to the Lord for help.
Acknowledging God implies I can trust Him and surrender to His plan because I understand who He is. Just like perseverance is developed by pushing past previous limits, discernment is separated out of the morass of confusing life events by diligent searching—even wrestling with God—for His view of a situation. After all, He is omniscient (all-knowing), omnipresent (present everywhere), and omnipotent (all-powerful), holy, sovereign, faithful, infinite, and good.
Perhaps it is time to surrender and stop doing MORE—but with God’s help—be MORE!