Are you addicted to achievement?
Our culture is. I am.
We work, we achieve, we get paid. We repeat the cycle.
Productivity seems to be the beginning and end of our lives. But when it comes to being a Christian leader, you need to remember one very important fact.
Achievement isn’t the goal.
God is.
You need to waste more time in the presence of God.
In our fast-paced culture, there’s something refreshing about just sitting down and being – to rest from accomplishing goals and simply remind yourself who you are.
The Truth About Waste
Here’s the truth: No time spent with Jesus is a waste. Matter of fact, it’s the most productive thing you can do.
The revelation you receive from God, the fellowship you experience with the Holy Spirit, the transformation that comes from gazing upon Glory, will change your life.
It changes the focus behind your work. It influences your attitude during adversity. It causes you to live a generous life with open hands.
One moment in the presence of God is amazing. But imagine a lifetime of steady discipline. Imagine 10,000 hours of time invested in the presence of God.
What would change about your thoughts?
What would change in your words?
What would change in your actions?
What would change in the legacy that you leave?
The Problem
But I have a problem. I have emails to check. I have blog posts to write. I have worship services to plan, blogs to scan, books to read, social media channels to update.
I have money to make.
My schedule is full but my heart is empty.
Focusing solely on achievement at the expense of time with Jesus sounds like a decent plan. Nobody sees your time with Jesus, but they do see your work.
You can hide. You can fake it.
But what happens over time?
Your heart dries up. Your passion fades. Your on-fire soul is now barren.
Don’t let yourself get there.
Hiding isn’t an option. Faking it isn’t a plan.
It’s time to get real.
The Challenge
Here’s my challenge to you today: Reorient your productivity to include time in the presence of God as your greatest priority.
Seek first the kingdom. And remember the end of that verse.
God will add “all the other things” to you.
Waste more time. And I know you’ll discover that it’s anything but a waste.
Question: What holds you back from “wasting” time in the presence of God? What needs to happen in order to reclaim that discipline? Let us know in the comments!
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Yes, YES and YES.
Love this, for me it’s always the flesh…the flesh wants what it wants…we gotta fight through that, mortify it’s desires.
You are so right, the most precious and valued time you spend is with Jesus, he helps you tackle the day.
M_
You reminded me of a great book – “The Mortification of Sin” by John Owen. Great read.
i think that is what Jesus meant by US loving him MORE than anyone else…
because if it’s not work…then it’s my family that uncomfortably to say…get in the way…
and it’s tough…
Definitely tough. I suppose it’s a matter of priority. If Jesus is our ultimate priority, we’ll find the time to fan the flame.
favorite post of yours that i’ve read. your line about 10,000 hours made me think of “10,000 reasons for my heart to find.” such a wonderful reminder
Great connection, Matt. Hadn’t thought of that.
This was such a great encouragement. Resting in God’s presence was a concept introduced to me a few years ago and it has totally transformed the way I view my ‘quiet times’. No longer do I behave like I have to achieve enough God points so I can cash them in for things I want like some kind of spiritual currency!
Thank you for writing this one, David. Really good!
Thanks Cameron – love the “spiritual currency” illustration!
Sigh, way to smack me in the face with the truth. Things at church are like a whirlwind of craziness. I have a hard enough time staying on top of tasks, but, like Martha I’ve neglected what’s most important. Thanks for the reminder.
I prefer to call it a “gentle pat”, but whatever 🙂
Great thoughts. For me it’s definitely the responsibilities of life pulling from many directions. My “wasted” time has to be scheduled.
I agree, Austin. What doesn’t get scheduled doesn’t get done in my life. Except eating. I seem to make time for that anyway 🙂
Honestly, I find that when I’m not wasting time in the presence of God – it is because I feel like I haven’t had “my time” – time to do what I want to do… so I sit on the computer, stare at the TV…. etc all selfishly and it often leaves me up late at night trying to get in all the time “I” need and then it is hard to get up in the morning to find the solitude FIRST. So it is an ugly cycle.
btw I think you stole my line I said that same thing about wasting time with Jesus in a service a couple weeks ago…… I’ll let it slide this time. 😉
oops! 🙂
Great reminder David. You are consistently bringing up the important things for us and putting the truth in front of us as Worship Leaders. I, for one, really appreciate it!
By the way, Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers (and others before him) have suggested that it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert or reach the top of your field in almost anything…
10,000 hours invested in God’s presence? Imagine what that would produce! Wow!
Yea, that was why I mentioned $10,000 hours. We relate that to achievement often, but what about time spent with Jesus? What would change about our lives if we spent that much time in God’s presence?
This is the whole truth. If I don’t take time to cultivate the RELATIONSHIP I’m just running in place.
I used to practice a Buddhist tradition where we had retreats that lasted from half a day to as many as 30 days of just sitting in silence and focusing on our breath and trying not to think. (And we called that enlightenment!)
I’ve recently began the practice each morning of sitting on my cushion with a notebook and a pan after reading the Word. Sometimes profound thoughts come, other times it’s just sitting and seeking His presence. It makes a difference in my day.
Can I use this teaching in my Men’s Group? Really important for men to learn how to stop doing and just be in God’s presence.
Absolutely, Tom! Feel free to share it. Thanks!