Over the past few months, God has been teaching me more than ever a new rhythm of living. Honestly, it's one that I should have been living already. If you asked me, I probably would have told you that I was living this way, but the Spirit has convicted me about that reality.
I am a doer by nature. I like to work. I like to accomplish. I like to be busy. Honestly, I feel better when I do more. But just because we feel better when we do more doesn't actually mean we are. This has been one of the enemy's lies for a long time that I have believed.
The issue is that in the midst of doing, we can so easily miss the point. Not only can we miss the point, we can end up living completely backwards.
God's desire for us is not that we would come up with goals and then work ourselves to death until we reach those goals. I'm grateful for God's Word that always has such practical wisdom for real life.
1. Delight yourself in the LORD.
The first and greatest pursuit in our lives is not just to obey the rules of God (not just to DO what He says); it's to delight ourselves in a relationship with God. It's so easy to reduce Christianity down to a list of do's and don'ts, but the beauty of the gospel is that we have been invited to feast on the glory of God up close and personal.
When this becomes our true passion, when this becomes what we really live for first and foremost, the psalmist says, "[God] will give you the desires of your heart."
Does that mean if I pursue God, I'll get everything I want?
As we delight ourselves in the LORD, He transforms us and our desires. The more we want Him, the more His desires become the desires of our hearts. That means that you will start to see life the way God does the more you find your true joy in Him.
This is where the rhythm begins. This is the foundation of everything else. A pure love for God Himself. Not trying to earn something. Not trying to get something. Just delighting ourselves in who He is.
The first and greatest pursuit in our lives is not just to obey the rules of God (not just to DO what He says); it's to delight ourselves in a relationship with God.
2. Rest wholly in God.
The next step is not acting, but committing our way to the LORD and trusting Him. I'm so quick to move to my part. But learning to rest transforms how I work.
The funny part about all our results and all our work is that it's never really because of us that anything happens. We like to tell ourselves that we made it happen. Our part is the part that really made the difference.
The reality is that there is a sovereign, all powerful God, who rules and reigns over heaven and earth, and it's because of Him ultimately that we have anything we have and do what we do.
There is an attitude that we need to develop that transforms all our doing. This attitude is complete dependency on God. That we learn to rest wholly in Him, His power, His plan. That we learn to live out of the reality that God is ultimately the one who is making things happen.
Imagine how that would transform our doing if we really believed that we are working with God and not just for God. If it wasn't all on our shoulders, what freedom would that bring.
3. Wait patiently for God.
Again, before we jump to doing, there is a listening and a watching rhythm that happens. We have to learn to be more sensitive to the leading and moving of the Spirit of God.
This doesn't mean that we are necessarily waiting for burning bushes or goosebumps, but it means our hearts need to be actively seeking the power and presence of God.
David writes, "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him." As we delight ourselves in who God is, and as we commit our ways trustingly to the LORD, we live in a posture of watching and waiting for God to move. That doesn't mean we are not doing anything, but it does mean that we create regular space in our lives to watch for where God may be working or what He might be doing.
As our family has followed God in this church planting journey, we have learned the value of watching and waiting patiently for God. Each day we live faithfully, delighting ourselves in Christ, resting in His control, loving and serving people in whatever way we can, and all the while we are watching for where God may be at work, for where He may be doing something we need to join into.
Over and over again, we have seen relationships open up unexpectedly. We have had gospel conversations with unexpected people. We have seen connections and opportunities come up that were totally of God. In those moments, God had us practicing these rhythms of delighting, resting, waiting, and responding. And it has taught us over these months a new, refreshing way to depend on the Lord and to experience Him in every day life.
4. Respond passionately to God.
As we learn to slow our pace and live with Jesus and go where He goes, there is a time to respond. These moments come and opportunities arise where God has shown that He is at work, and we must be ready to make the most of those moments.
We must respond faithfully and passionately, trusting that God is in us, working through us to do more than we could ever do on our own.
He is so wise and powerful and sovereign. It's amazing what happens when we don't get ahead of ourselves and try to figure everything out for God. He truly knows what He is doing in His mission on planet earth to build His kingdom. I'm grateful that we get to be a part of it by His grace.
Father, would you teach us more and more to trust your leading. To remember that busyness doesn't equal fruitfulness. Help us to depend on you and to passionately respond as you move and work in and through us. Most importantly, help us to delight ourselves in You each and every moment that we might not just live for You but with You, enjoying the beauty of this life Your Son has purchased for us.
