this year i have only one resolution: to do less.
i’m not talking about simplifying, either. i mean that very literally.
i will do less.
this doesn’t mean i’m complacent. it doesn’t mean i’m lazy. it doesn’t mean i’m apathetic. it doesn’t mean i’m going to sit on my rump all day and google stuff. that’s not what i mean at all.
lately i’ve been studying a really great book that has caused me to re-evaluate my typical complicated way of thinking and doing things.
normally i think, “i want to do more for christ.”
may i be so bold to state: i don’t want to do anything for christ.
the more and more i walk along this road the more and more i realize how backwards i have it. i cannot do anything for christ. the things that are done through me for his kingdom are just that. they are done through me.
in the aforementioned book, watchman nee talks about the process of saving someone who’s drowning.
if they’re doing all they can, fighting to stay afloat, there’s no way somebody can rescue them. they’ll take both the rescuer and themselves down under.
they only way you can rescue a struggling swimmer is to either let them freak out until they’re too tired to do it anymore, or you have to knock them unconscious in order to bring them back.
i have been desperately treading water far too long.
and i really don’t want to be knocked unconscious.
i am going to go and walk in the fact that everything god has accomplished is done. and i just need to lose more of myself and let him guide my steps. i need to get out of the way.
Comments
23 responses to “i’m not going to do anything for christ (1 of 2)”
I agree, agree, agree! It took our very loving, so loyal, more loving, supportive, cring daughter to tell me one time: (When she saw I was right at the point of tears every time I tried to talk) who said….. “Mom, are you having a hard time being YOU?” She couldn’t have been more perfectly right! So I typed that statement and framed it and reminded myself of it when I lost myself in my passion for helping others. Realizing it now, Anne, is awakening you to this fundamental truth (Christ in you, the hope of glory) and beginning to understnd that a benevolent force of energy is available. The way you view your life (and the people in it) will be changed forever when you just be YOU! Blessings on your first day with the Pastor and Staff!
…..thanks for letting me correct a word in my comment …that’s supposed to be “caring daughter,” not “cring daughter.” :-)
Well that’s a tall extra shot mocha latte this morning. I agree totally. I am praying I have the courage and the strength to get out of Christ way and just allow Him to work through me. What a great start to a band new week.
PS…Good Luck today and may God use you in the most awesome way!
Das es good. I too want to do nothing for Christ this year. It’s so easy to get lost in the anti-humility sometimes.
I need to pray into this “less FOR Christ”, “more Christ THROUGH me” stuff. My Lord becomes very small and very weak when I’m doing all the work for Him. Sorry J-Rock…we’ll be working on letting YOU work this year.
Good Stuff Anne! Craig has talked about having a “Not to do list” the application was not the same; however it can be used in this context as well.
Welcome to LC, I have a new team member starting today as well!
wow. i very much needed to hear this. today, in fact.
thank you.
I have had the same thought recently! Sometimes my “doing things for God” is so pretentious, as if God needs me to think up plans on his behalf. I’m hoping to take a break from over-thinking and over-planning, and generally be more child-like in my relationship with God.
Watchman Nee will rock your world(he’s rocked my mine). It’s hard to read what he wrote without being changed/convicted/inspired/challenged.
Thanks for sharing.
Hmmm. Very nicely put, my friend. I guess I’ve always thought it that way but still find myself using the “do for Christ” lingo.
Great stuff!
great reminder, anne, for us to rest in the accomplished work of Christ. those of us in Him will be no more redeemed through our (usually) well-intentioned works.
i wonder what ways you will be able to receive His ministering to you as you truly simplify…:)
Awesome! And I can totally relate!! God has been showing me similar things as well. I’m a do-er and I ‘try’ alot. One analogy that really hit home was about the eagle soaring – he flies the highest when he soars and let’s the wind raise him, instead of flapping and flapping. I’ve realized I’m a flapper who needs to just let God take me higher. Thanks for sharing!
Happy First Day! So glad to have you here!!
mmm. amen sister.
Anne, freedom from performance is a scary thing, to let go of trying to do it. But its worth it. Much love to you and your husband on your journey.
anne,
that is so great and so true. i totally get caught up in it all the time. how freeing it is that you can just step back and let it go.
wow! a burden lifted off.
Very well said! How did you DO that? Oops! God is using you when you don’t even know it!
Great post, Anne and great reminder.
I heard you met a bunch of LC friends… hope to meet you soon!
Anna
It seems like I am the only one who doesn’t quite understand this post. I hate to be a contrarian, however, With the statement
How do you reconcile Colossians 3:17, that states that whatever we do, is done for Christ.
kudos! Nee Tuoshheng rocks!
It’s slow going to really grow, sometimes. we must learn to sit before walking and then standing. We are small children before we grow into adults.
I think it’s a phase to ‘do less’, Tim. And I’m glad you’re contrary with scripture.
tim-
the book actually talks about that and interestingly enough, uses that phrase “in the name of the lord.”
basically translated, that phrase refers to the things that god has already accomplished through christ in us. when the bible refers to things in christ, it’s origin is in the past tense meaning through christ, those things have already “been worked out” so by “doing” those things, we are doing them through the power of the name of christ. so really, we aren’t doing anything, but the power of the name of christ is accomplishing those things in us.
if you download the book (it’s free) it talks a lot about that in the last chapter.
I’ve been learning similar things lately. Much more productive.
Anne, thanks for your response. I hope being the only one to question didn’t come across has trying to offend. I’ll check out the book.
So again, thanks for this post as it has caused me dig into my word. It also brought me to a John Piper analogy of who God is; God is a fountain that springs forth with water, and is not a stagnant trough that needs us to bring water to him.
Acts 17:25
25nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.
45For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
aww it seems that my links to biblegateway were blocked and two were omitted. The second verse was Mark 10:45, and the third was 1 Peter 4:11