Thursday, August 15, 2013

When Less Is More

Hey Friend,

Sometimes I sit and reflect back on my life and I wonder what was I thinking?  How on earth did I do some of the things that I did?  What was my motivation?
Every so often it is good to reflect on the past, but not so much that we get tangled up in a web of regret.

I look back on my years in college and I wonder who was that girl that wore a superwoman cape?  I was a cheerleader, I was a choreographer in the dance company, I was VP of my sorority, I was the coordinator of Orientation Board - the group that organized the week of freshmen orientation, and I graduated summa cum laude with a double major???  Whew, makes me tired just thinking back on it.

I graduated into adult life and the path continued...I coordinated rather large chapters of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) - one in PA and one in IL.  I was very active in church.  I sang (tried to sing) in the choir, I taught Sunday school, I was a senior high youth group leader, I led numerous Bible studies and was a small group leader...and the list goes on!

I was a modern day Martha - running around in circles, "doing good and serving" while my other lazy sisters in Christ simply sat at Jesus' feet and drank in His words.

Serving is not a bad thing, but too much serving begs the question, "Why?"  Looking back I can see that subconsciously I was compensating for a low self-esteem.  Maybe if I succeed in doing all these things, I will feel better about myself.  I also think that I didn't buy into the fact that God loved me just as I was. 

Christ's words, "Come as you are..." (John 6:37) were lost on me.  I felt like I had to perform for God in order to be fully loved.  Nothing could be further from the truth. 

The enemy was having a field day with me.  I bought into his lies that "more is better" and resting, savoring and simply sitting at Jesus' feet was lazy.  I was a striving maniac...always in "Go" mode.  No time for resting, reflecting and just being.  No sir, not me!  I really wasn't living life as it was meant to be lived.

Satan's name means "adversary" and he is definitely adverse to anything that resembles abiding in the Lord.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.  (John 10:10)

I was so busy serving (serving who?) that I wasn't living life.  I had traded in my freedom for performance and it was slowly killing me.  I believed the enemy's lies that I had to do more or I really wasn't a "good" Christian.  That is the voice of condemnation and that is not how God speaks to us.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  (Romans 8:1)

Whenever you feel unloved, unimportant or insecure, remember to whom you belong. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

Fortunately my God is good and over time I have become confident in the truth regarding to whom I belong.  I have traded performance for freedom, striving for resting, shame for delight and death for LIFE!  Less actually is more!

I do less, but I live more...I now love the time when I can sit, like Mary, at Jesus' feet and drink in His word.  I believe the truth in Jeremiah 31:3. that I am loved with an everlasting love.

God is love and Love does not ask us to bury ourselves in the rat race of always doing.  Love lets you truly "Come as you are."  (John 6:37)

Love,

Bev




9 comments:

  1. Bev,
    So happy I wandered over from Chasing Blue Skies...I love the bravery of your admission. Who wants to admit overcompensating for anything?? Enjoyed reading you, and will again.
    Peace and good to you in Jesus' name,
    Chelle
    #outoftheblue

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    1. Chelle,
      So glad you wandered over from Out of the Blue! It's tough to admit some things, but maybe others can learn from my mistakes?! You are welcome back anytime...Blessings to you,
      Bev

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  2. I can fall into the tramp of too much doing just for the sake of doing. The scriptures you quoted here and your words are good reminders for me. It's all such a balance! Thanks for sharing them.

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    1. You are right, Kristin, it IS such a balance. Sometimes the pendulum swings back too far in the other direction. That's why we need to keep seeking HIS guidance...Blessings,
      Bev

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  3. Bev, I smile every time I discover something else we have in common. I too was a dancer in high school and during my short time in college. As always, your words leave me something I needed to hear. I'm always so grateful for how you honestly share your heart and the scripture you point me to. Much love to you friend. (((hugs)))
    Beth

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  4. Beth,
    Well hello sister dancer! Maybe that's why I love the worship song, "I Am Free" (I am free to run...I am free to dance...I am free to live for You...I am FREE!) So glad you are back and trying to put your experiences in words. I have missed you dear friend!
    Love and ((hugs)),
    Bev

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    1. Oh now this is too funny. The youth group at my church sings this song all the time and has a cute little dance they do to it. I'm always wanting to join in.
      Love and (((hugs))),
      Beth

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  5. As I read your list of commitments, I found myself saying, "check, check, check...wow, she and I have a lot in common!" Double major, group leader, etc. Part of me will always be that firstborn overachiever. Part of me will always be tempted to overserve and overcommit when I feel empty and lonely in other areas of my life. I have learned to prayerfully consider my commitments beforehand, and to use the all-important NO when necessary. I'm much more at peace now than a few years ago.

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    1. I popped by your blog...and yes, I think we have a lot in common! It is soooo easy to over serve and overcommit in order to compensate for emptiness in other areas of our life. I am glad you are learning the necessity of saying "No" at a much earlier stage than I did. As you said, prayerful consideration is the key!! Thanks for stopping by!
      Blessings,
      Bev

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