Slowing to Be With God Amidst an Anxious, Fast-Paced Lifeනියැදිය

When it comes to what we do as Christians, we can often lose focus.

You might find yourself stressing over your to-do list, wondering how you can fit all of your Christian duties in. Or you might wonder when you’ll be able to reap the fruits of your labor.

Like the Pharisee, we can stress ourselves out asking, “Am I doing enough?” “How can I?” and “If I am doing so much to ignite my fire for the Lord, why are there no flames?” This leads us to feel pressured, rushed, and lukewarm. Like we are doing kingdom work without feeling our citizenship. We get burnt out.

In our crazy, busy lives, you might be piling on the spiritual checklist. You find yourself mindlessly reading a devotional or verse each morning to check a habitual box. You might also be driving yourself crazy trying to fit in a Bible study into your already-packed schedule because "that’s what good Christians do."

God is not a checklist! Discipline draws us closer to God, but we cannot do it with empty thoughts and hearts. Placing importance on how much you are doing or wondering when you will get some kind of recognition from God for what you already do steals the focus away from Him. Spending our whole lives with our egos and anxieties chasing righteousness won’t make us righteous!

Christians are to practice discipline and reflect God as His image-bearers to grow closer to Him. It is not so that we can be the best Christians. Be cautious not to place so much stress on yourself for how much you do that you lose sight of why you are doing it!

So, what does this mean going forward? Be more like the humble tax-collector: Slow down! Breathe and invite Jesus into your imperfect life, and let your repentance and spiritual disciplines transform you, instead of practicing them mindlessly and rushing through them.

Humble yourself and ask, “What am I neglecting in my partnership with Jesus?” “What is Jesus inviting me into?” Is there something you are anxiously pouring work into—but leaving your soul behind?

Dear God, may we not only remember you in all that we do, but slowly and humbly do it with you. May you purify our anxious intentions for the kingdom, and may your work in us bring glory to you, God Most High.