Lately, I’ve been immersing myself in the words of Thomas Merton. If you’re not familiar with his writing, he’s a 20th century Trappist monk and writer (more here) and his words have the power to transcend the logical and explore the spiritual undercurrents in which we rarely dare to wade.
I read this from Merton other day, and it reminded me of something I wrote in Mad Church Disease.
“We are so obsessed with doing that we have no time and no imagination left for being. As a result, men are valued not for what they are but for what they do or what they have – for their usefulness”
In Mad Church Disease, I confessed I was so busy “doing” things for God that I had forgotten how to simply “be.” with him.
I love what Merton adds though – this second part:
“As a result, men are valued not for what they are but for what they do or what they have – for their usefulness”
Essentially, when we become wrapped up in our productivity, ambition, and success, we will inevitably cast the same expectations on others. We will focus on what they do instead of the beautiful layers of who they are, removing us further from God’s design to exist in a non-judgmental, merciful community where we consider others better than ourselves…
I know I constantly am driven by my ambition and the results of it. And as a culture, upon meeting someone new, we typically ask, “So…what do you do?” While that’s an innocent question in and of itself, I think it’s an indicator of the priorities we’ve subtly placed on what it means to be a valuable human being.
Comments
18 responses to “Are you Valuable or Useful?”
Awesome question, Anne!! I have found in the past that I have found my worth in what I was able to do for people, so the busier I was, the more useful and needed I felt. But really, I was a slave to people-pleasing and am learning to say no when necessary so I can invest in the projects and people I really want to. My brain never shuts off so I am susceptible to being pulled along by the constant stream of ideas that drive me to distraction. I’m learning how to stop and listen. Prioritize. Engage and connect with someone EVERY day so I’m not so far removed from myself and others that I lose my grounding in reality. But I confess, there are times I panic at the thought that maybe I’m not doing enough:)
Man…distractions are HUGE for me. Today I have been really productive, but I feel like nothing I “needed” to do was accomplished. Panic ensues…
Have I ever been driven by my productivity and ambitions, my “usefulness” instead of my “value?”
Only every freaking day. :) Trying to stop that.
Thanks, Anne.
Haha. Me too. Me too. I laugh WITH you.
The way I see it in my experience and having been on both sides:
Useful is about you.
Valuable is about the other person.
I always appreciated this quote:
“Love people, not things; use things, not people. ”
― Spencer W. Kimball
Awesome quote!
I’ve not read Merton. This sounds similar to Nouwen – and I struggle with intentionally setting aside time to just be still and quiet with God. It happens far less than I desire. I often listen to so many other voices, including my own, that tell me I’m useful – not valuable.
You’ll love Merton.
When asked “so what do you do” my response is usually “that’s not very important…let’s compare notes on who we know”. Interesting discussions always follow.
Interesting indeed!
Idle hands are not good. I thought busy was the way to go. Of course that “busy” doesn’t have to be work. It can be charity, favors, gardening, whatever helps. As you can see, I have a hard time stopping to reflect to.
Usually, when things finally stop for the day it involves a couch, a TV, or a bed.
I try to remember God is the creator of time…when I slow down to reflect (:
Works are important – but they aren’t they suppose to be the result of our love for Christ. Isn’t God the only one we really need to be concerned with regarding our worth and value?
When my outward faith and the speed of life get out of balance, I tend to lose a bit of the joy that should be radiating from my soul. In fact, I am missing some of that joy lately… and I am fighting to get that back. It is there… I can feel it in my heart, but I don’t always display it.
I need to display it. I want people to know me for the joy that exist in my life – the love I have for Christ – not just the good things I do. I want those around me to say – you are different…why? Then God can speak through me… to share with them…they can hear about Jesus, and He can do His work – not me.
lovely words. thank you.
I’ve been digging into Merton lately. I can’t get enough.
I heard someone speaking of the dichotomy between being a human-being and a human-doing today. It stuck with me. Now this. I wonder if the good Lord is trying to tell me something?
And you will likely never get enough Merton…(:
When I read this yesterday, I thought “I need to take some time to consider that one before I comment. It has a LOT of meat in it.”
Today, after doing that, I thought “I may be considering that blog my whole life. And growing a little more each time I do it.”
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