Purpose in PromotionSample

Rest and Godly Identity

It is so easy to draw our identity from inferior things. Possessions, jobs, education, and titles are a small part of this infinite list. But busyness is perhaps the surprise entry and is probably at the top of the list for many. It can make one feel important. But neither identity nor significance should be defined by our schedules.

Busyness is artificial significance. Many believers clutter their lives with Christian activities, thinking that demonstrates their heart for the will of God in their lives. As a result, they tragically never have to learn how to reign in life amid the chaos of the worldly systems that surround us. Schedules often take us out of the necessary interactions with unbelievers that keep us aware of what we do well and what we don’t. Busyness also tends to insulate us from the divine reasoning that enables us to rise to our potential in areas that are not overtly spiritual. 

Reigning in life is not reigning over people. We are called to reign in life in the sense that we manage the issues of our own lives under the direct leadership of God. (See Romans 5:17.) For example, money doesn’t control me. I control money in a way that glorifies God. Relationships don’t control me, whether they are good or bad. I manage my relationships God’s way that He might receive honor and that I might find healthy community. Reigning in life as citizens of His kingdom gives us a position of favor that makes our service effective.

The Rested Lifestyle

Avoiding rest is a violation of our design. Not even God worked seven days, and yet many today praise the hard workers who give themselves to their assignment without rest. Even the church celebrates devoted pastors who pour out their lives for the sake of the flock, never taking a day off. We then exalt them as heroes instead of exposing them for their foolishness. We often do the same for the missionary who gives it all for the sake of the gospel on that foreign field. A person without rest is a person without wisdom. Overworking sounds right to our achievement-oriented culture, but God is unimpressed. 

Many pastors lose years off of their lives by giving themselves to a busyness that violates how God made them. More times than not, it’s a person searching for significance by being needed. The same can be said of business owners, educators, and the like. Many employees applaud their business owners who burn the candle at both ends; stockholders who see CEOs pour themselves out for the company’s success are satisfied because it makes for quick financial gains. But it works against longevity, which is at the heart of a life of excellence. It’ll cost us in the long run. 

I realize this is often done sincerely. But drinking poison is harmful—even if you sincerely think it isn’t. God has a way to do life. We are foolish to ignore it.

Excellence is the true life of significance. Anyone can have a high impact for a season. We see it in sports, politics, entertainment, and ministry. But only those who take care of themselves in a biblical fashion can leave a righteous momentum enjoyed by multiple generations. The idea of living for a generation we’ll never see is what keeps us the most honest in our approach to life.

Divine Perception

Such busyness hinders our perception of the things that are most important to God. Jesus taught us that our eye should be single. (See Matthew 6:22, KJV). The word single in this verse comes from two words: the number one and the word voyage. When the focus of our hearts has been refined to the one journey we’re called to, everything about us comes under the influence of the light of God’s presence/face. This is the life of significance, the life of ever-increasing favor, both from God and from man.

Favor is one of the most precious gifts that God gives to people, believer and nonbeliever alike. Each person has a measure. Acts 14:17 attests to that: “Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (NKJV). This is such a beautiful description of a perfect Father who woos people to Himself through His kindness and favor. I believe this process is still God’s plan A for how to build His family, as it is still His “kindness that leads people to repentance” (Rom. 2:4).