I said in my last post that I’ve had a long relationship with doing and that I come from a long line of doers. Being an achiever is never the problem; the problem rests in the source of that achievement. Who is behind all the doing and who is actually the doer, God or me?
The Doing of the Doers
We can run ourselves ragged being a doer. And many things can fuel this activity. Here are a couple examples:
- A bitterroot judgment: “I won’t be lazy like…”
- Earning love: working hard to gain love or approval.
- Competition: working hard to prove you’re better than someone else.
- Compensation: slaving to overcome feelings of being inferior or worthless.
- The outright workaholic: just trying to BE something or someone.
- Crazy workhorse: working to avoid something, just doing so they aren’t feeling or facing something or someone painful.
I know this isn’t exhaustive but it sweeps a good-sized swath through our motivations. Work and doing is highly subjective and deeply emotional. If you are not a drone and are a bit driven…there is probably something behind it.
“Activity suggests a life filled with purpose.”
Capt. Von Trapp, The Sound of Music
I’ve given a list of reasons that can drive us to work, but there is actually only one real work we’re called to do. It is the work to hear. “What? Hear!” Yep, the doing of doers should be about the work of hearing more than doing. All doing should emanate from a place of hearing, not simply doing. Doers that aren’t hearers are actually lazy. They don’t think that they’re lazy, because they are continually doing, but they are. The real work of this life is the work of hearing and believing, not the chaotic flailing of mere activity.
So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself. He does only what He sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.
John 5:19 NLT
Purposelessness of the Doers
Anyone can preoccupy themselves with doing. Being a doer is simple. A life of activity does not prove purpose; it only proves action. And busy movement can fool us. This exerted energy feels anything but lazy. “Lazy is sedentary, right?” No, laziness is purposelessness. Activity proves nothing because effort is not eternal unless it is sourced in God. Purpose for me is only found in the Life of Christ in me. And this is achieved only through hearing and believing.
Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the One He has sent.”
John 6:29 NLT
All our doing must be sourced in His Life and His performance. Our true work is found in hearing and believing Him, not in doing the actual job. It has to be more than hearing; it has to become believing or you have not heard. Hearing and believing will become living activity.
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24
My ‘list’ deleted; still grieving from Mother’s Day, now — all of the above: guilty . . . quite a mess right now.
Father, I give thanks to you for Pauline. Thank You for her ability to be candid concerning how she is feeling. Thank You for allowing even the most difficult of circumstances in our lives that we might become more like You. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because the LORD has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;… To comfort all who mourn,… To give them beauty for ashes, The oil… Read more »
It’s all about the source, as you said John. Because the issue it’s always Life. If God is the source, the result it’s Life. If the source it’s us, then it will always be, running to catch the wind…. Yes, hearing and believing is the real work, the only work, as Jesus said. The truth of the matter is this, you don’t need to die to work…, and you don’t need the Blood either… But to do the real work, is to die to yourself completely, and to believe in God alone who raises the dead! There is a lot… Read more »
Amen Marsela! Guess it is only our pride that prefers work to receiving every time. Does it look like the Lord is going to let you come this year to the conference? I sure hope so. Bless you!
John, yes, I am coming, I purchased my plane ticket and booked the hotel the very first day I received the detailed info for the Conference ?! Sorry for the late reply, we have relatives from Albania visiting here in US ( New York) for a couple of weeks, and they have come stay with us for a couple of days as well, and visit Washinton DC, been busy. Blessings to you John!
Beyond excited can’t wait to see you. Have fun with your family… Bless you! ?
Oh My! Oh my! Oh my!
Quite a few years ago (I will admit I was a little nervous to get His response) I asked point blank, “Lord, what is my calling? What is Your purpose for me?” His response was, “To listen.” I took Him to mean that I was to listen to those around me – just listen. I never considered until now that He meant for me to listen to Him!
He just keeps on giving!
Well, I can’t say I wouldn’t have translated the message on exactly the same way. Remember that postthat I wrote about asking the Lord what He means by what He says. I have to continually remember that.
I think your revelation this morning is perfect, beautiful actually. Makes me hungry to listen to hear just what He has to say.
Bless you Tammy!