What is more precious than gold but cannot be bought,
earned, or saved?
Time is a very valuable commodity! We hope to make the most of our time, as Ephesians 5:15-16 says: Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Ambition, drive, and success are celebrated and admired. But we are also getting busier and busier, trying to do more, greater, better, faster. NOW! …but it’s never enough.
At what point do I stop stewarding my time and start idolizing my productivity?
Think for a moment about these two questions:
- Who does God want me to be?
- What does God want me to do?
I hope you paused long enough to truly reflect, and to weigh your answers. When we start to talk about “doing,” are you focused on your to-do list? Or God’s? What would God’s to-do list look like?
This is a tough question, because there are a lot of good things to do! Our jobs require much of us. Being a spouse is a lifetime investment. Being a parent is toilsome. Owning a house involves upkeep and cleaning. Managing finances doesn’t happen with the snap of a finger! Never mind self-care and personal ambitions! There are many good things to do!
These are tasks that we are responsible for or aspire to. But we must also focus on what God calls us to be! In the context of the tasks that we endeavor after, we must keep the goal of being what God wants us to be. Scripture makes clear that God desires for us to know Him and become more like Him. In Philippians 3:14, Paul says, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
We cannot forsake our goal for the endless to-do list of tasks!
I am not suggesting laziness or lack of drive. But if we lose sight of who God wants us to be, we have missed what is important! Paul says in Philippians 3:13, One thing I do. Jesus told Martha in Luke 10:41, One thing is necessary. And most humbling: the good that God promises in Romans 8:28 correlates directly with our response to Him in Romans 8:29… that we would let the circumstances prompt us to become more like Christ!
What will I sacrifice on the altar of productivity?
Do I forsake prayer for more time working? Do I forsake people for my agenda (like the priest and Levite before the Samaritan came in Jesus’ parable in Luke 10)? Do I prefer my success to Christlike character? Do I press for the results and forget God in the process?
When you begin to obsess over productivity to the detriment of your greater calling in life, and focus more on doing than on being, think of this parable, prayer, and psalm.
A Parable
Jesus tells the parable of a sower sowing seed on different types of soil, which He identifies as representing how people hear and respond to God’s Word. Jesus refers to seed sown among thorns, explaining, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful (Matthew 13:22). Will I let my pursuit of worldly cares choke out my response to God’s Word?
A Prayer
As Jesus was in the garden facing impending arrest and crucifixion, He prayed about His struggles, but concluded, not as I will, but as you will (Matthew 26:39). In our own struggles, of course we want to see results and success! It can be frustrating to work endlessly at something! But will I be consumed by my desires, or will I submit them to God, praying, “Not my will, but Yours be done!”
A Psalm
It is both comforting and challenging to be reminded of Psalm 46:10: Be still, and know that I am God. In fact, the NASB captures the idea, saying, Cease striving and know that I am God. It is worth the pause! It is worth surrendering our self-reliance, finding our satisfaction in God Himself, and exalting Him!
It is difficult to endure life without succumbing to the allure of success driven by productivity and results. The pressure of our ambitions and others’ expectations is tremendous; yet there is a greater joy in resting in Christ.
To rest in Christ is not to be motionless, but to find a confidence in Him that shapes our pursuits. My identity is not in my success. I’m not desperate simply to achieve. I hold fast to integrity even in disappointment, and no obstacles will steal my joy. Even through the wilderness of life, my refuge is Christ, and I am content!
How can I avoid idolizing productivity and instead steward my time?
I must continually examine myself, not producing the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) in my pursuits, but instead drawing near to God, who will enable me to produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).