“I had learned the lesson from a fellow struggler… who taught me that the secret of success is not ‘busianity,’ it is ‘Christianity.’ None of the great saints of the church made his or her mark by trying harder, only by loving more completely.”
– Calvin Miller, “Life is Mostly Edges: A Memoir”
When I began this blog a year ago I started it with the mindset that I needed to do something with the free time the pandemic had given me. My responsibilities at work, like that of many, had slowed down dramatically and abruptly. This allowed for more time with family and enjoyment of the great outdoors. Still deep down there was a yearning to accomplish something and be what I defined as “productive.” Have you ever wondered where this internal pressure to prioritize work comes from?
The American dream has a lot to do with this never-ending work ethic. The idea that we are a self-made country built upon the backs of self-made people resulting in self-made comforts has indwelt the hearts of many Americans even to this day. And, before I go any further, let me be clear: laziness is not the opposite of this work ethic, satisfaction is.
As the pandemic brought about a sudden stop to the busyness of my life I was faced with a real conundrum—a desire to do something when nothing needed to be done. This American dream mindset or mere self-motivation was driving a car that had nowhere to go. This force caused me to go crazy until I finally sought God’s Word for His answer to my obsession for prioritizing productivity and accomplishment.
As we read the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 our 21st century minds find appreciation for just about all of them. We still think it is a good idea not to kill, steal, lie, or covet other people’s “stuff” including their spouse…which the commandment ironically includes right next to one’s animals. (A good excuse for when my wife asks if I was born in a barn.) Some of us might even have an ornate listing of these commandments in our home so that we can conveniently point to the “Honor thy father and mother” one when our sweet kids turn into teenage monsters and the Bible is the only thing keeping us sane.
Yet there is one commandment in God’s “Top Ten” that we give less attention to. You hardly hear anyone quote it, memorize it, or point to it at any given time. And I think there is a reason for that. Which led me to this question: was it our innate ability to get our priorities out of order that caused God to implement the Sabbath in the first place?
According to Exodus 20, God gave the commandment of the Sabbath for two reasons. First, God knew the Jewish people needed a day to focus on the holy as if they wouldn’t naturally do it themselves.Secondly, God also knew they needed a day to rest from the work of the other six days as if they wouldn’t naturally do this either.
Have you ever considered how out of place this commandment seems? God is literally commanding this group of people to reflect right next to commanding them not to kill each other. None of these commandments are more important than the others, they are equal. God is equating the priority of physical rest and spiritual reflection with their need for physical life.
Fast-forward to today. Many in our world are still consumed with the priority of productivity and accomplishment. Although the Sabbath commandment was fulfilled by Christ who has now become our true rest there is still a lesson to be learned. Modern believers of God should still be the ones who are willing to set aside their personal goals in all other priorities if need be. Choosing rather to find satisfaction in prioritizing Christ’s accomplishments on the cross and from the grave.
But why us? The answer is simple—because our entire faith is based upon that very thing.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;”
Titus 3:5-6
In other words, our soul’s fulfillment is built upon what God did, not on anything we do or can ever do. It’s centered on His accomplishments and none of ours.
So, in our fast-paced world of workaholics seeking fulfillment from their own achievements may we truly find God-given satisfaction in that. When we can’t accomplish what we desire or to the level we think we need to achieve to be accepted by those around us, may we prioritize the fact that we are already fully accepted by God through what His Son has already done.
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