Be Quick, But Don't Hurry

Every other Friday we go to our super/amazing/wonderful/crazy life group.  I love our group for numerous reasons, one of them being that each time we get together a different couple shares about what God is currently teaching them.  It really allows us all to get to know each other on a much deeper level and builds a strong family feel.  If it's okay with you, I'd like to share what I take away from each week as the semester progresses... sound good?  Great!  :) 

James and Sherry are such a fun couple and host our group pretty much every time we get together.  They kicked off the semester with a topic that hits close to home for so many of us, "Be Quick, But Don't Hurry," my translation... "Serve God, Not Your Schedule."

The night started with a question, "Are we doing "stuff" for God or from God?"  OoOooo... let's let that one sink in for a second.  Are the daily activities of our lives stemming from our own selfish desires, a "need" to win God's approval, or because it's what He told us to do?  I have come to understand that grace tells me there is nothing I can do to gain God's approval.  Period.  It's His goodness and righteousness that allows me to be acceptable and pleasing to Him.  So anything and everything we do should come from obedience of what He has told us to do and who we are as His daughter or son.

We are presented with "good" opportunities all of the time, but these "good" opportunities may be good for someone else or good for you at another time in your life.  For example: this Fall I have decided to be obedient to God and rest so that I can focus on some things that He has been teaching me about for a couple of years.  Instead of being super involved with many "good" opportunities at church such as Equip classes, women's events, etc., I'm at home cooking more meals, going to work out classes at the YMCA and learning photography.  It's not always easy... I love going to classes, events, and hanging out with family and friends, but God has told me to take it easy.  It's a learning process that's for sure.

So many of us are constantly going, going, going.  Is it possible that God is saying, "Hey, hold on a second... I'd like to hang out with you... hello?  I'm over here!  I know you can hear Me... hello?"  If we're too busy saying 'yes' to every opportunity to spending time with a not-so-close "friend", serving in multiple areas at church, going to this event or that event, taking on new projects at work that aren't even our responsibility and are going to wear us out but may result in a promotion.  If we're saying 'yes' to all of those "good" things, what do we have left to give to God, our spouse, our family, or even ourselves?

Maybe instead of having a "to-do list" (whether practical or spiritual) we should have a "stop doing list", and let the Lord give us a new list.  Everything that we do should come from an assurance of knowing who we are as His child.  After all, He made us human-beings not human-doings.