Years ago, I foolishly thought I could outsmart God.
It was a particularly busy season and I made the conscious choice to push full throttle on building a new business and pause all of my routine spiritual disciplines. I swapped out morning bible studies for FOX Business and extra sleep was my new substitute for morning prayer. Instead of evening prayers with my wife, I would collapse exhausted from the stress of the day.
I remember lying awake in bed one night, after another grueling day, knowing that in five hours it would start it all back up again. After months of moving at Mach 5, I knew that night I was running on fumes. In an effort to squeeze the most from each day, I slowly started to realize that in my busyness, I had neglected the very habits that had got me where I was and I had turned my back on the very relationship that got me there.
As I laid awake that night, unable to sleep again, I took a much need inventory of the past few months. I noticed that a subtle gap had formed between who I was and who I used to be. My choice to outsmart God had lead me to compromise and drift in areas I never had before.
After that night, I decided to take some time off. I spent the next few days reassessing major life decisions while trying to restore my relationship with God. Since I have a tendency to over-do it, the next four days I crammed in months of missed prayer, bible study and time with God. I was desperately hoping that I would quickly reconnect with God and find a quick-fix solution to my problems. I was desperate and willing to trying anything as I looked to find a way to restore the growing chasm in my character and come out of those four days refreshed and gap free.
So what happened?
Nothing.
I hate to admit it, but after the first day my eyes were sore from all my reading and I had run out of stuff to pray for. After those four long days, I didn’t feel any better. I didn’t suddenly feel closer to God and I’m pretty sure my character hadn’t miraculously improved. But I did learn one scary thing…
When you put God on hold, nothing happens. And nothing is a lot scarier than I thought.
While sequestered, I was reminded of Jesus’ words in Revelation 3:20, “I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in…”
When you shut out God and place Him on hold, He’ll continue to stand at the door of your soul and knock… but you still must let Him in.
But what happens when you don’t let Him in?
Something else will fight to take His place.
Compromises begin to occur that never did before. Now those white lies on company expense reports don’t seem like such a big deal… besides, you deserve the extra money. Choices are now made that months ago never would have crossed your mind. You begin to notice that the new office intern suddenly looks more attractive and you find yourself going out of your way to stop by her desk.
Regardless of the compromise, a gap starts to develop. A gap between who you know God made you to be and who you are right now.
So what happens when you quit placing God on hold?
After you invite God into your life, the heart transformation isn’t supposed to stop. That’s when it’s designed to start. A radical transformation begins when you quit placing God on hold and ask Him to change your character to match His. You slowly begin to transform into who God truly designed you to be and best of all that gap begins to close.
If you’re asking God to help you remove those gaps here are a few good places to start:
1. Live like your life has meaning
Your life has value, just like those around you, so start each day choosing to love those you encounter. Focus on being a loving person towards others instead of doing certain things just to receive their praises. Let God’s love for you inspire you to show that same love and worth towards those around you.
It can be as simple as paying for the lunch of the stranger behind you in line, with no intention of them compensating you or when to opportunity arises, volunteer to help with a daunting project at work that will in no way advance your career goals.
2. Practice Real Hospitality
If you truly want to influence the lives of others, you first need to establish a relationship. Focus on listening to the people around you. Try to listen for understanding rather than for debate. Become intentional on reaching out to those that are different than you. After you establish those relationships, it becomes far easier to identify how you can really be there for them.
If you’re not sure where to start, ask your church if there’s a family struggling to make ends meet (most churches know this) and volunteer to bring a much needed meal. If you want to go all out and with Christmas on the horizon, take the bold step of sponsoring a family in need for all of their shopping needs.
3. Let It Go, Let It Go
And no, I don’t mean the catchy song from Frozen. Forgive just like God has forgiven you. We all make mistakes and continue to miss the mark. When others hurt you, take that pain to God in prayer and allow him to heal your heart. Then, let it go. Start forgiving those who wrong you and look for ways to right the wrongs of the past as far as you are able and as quickly as possible.
What pain, injustice or hurt are you holding on to? It may be time to right the wrong, forgive and heal together.
4. Pay Attention
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of our day-to-day activities. Start taking regular breaks during the day, 5-10 mins a few times a day is all you need. Step back and ask for wisdom as you remind yourself of what matters most and base your priorities and decisions on that. Jesus will often work in unexpected ways so make sure to open yourself up and listen to what that may mean for your life today.
If you’d like ideas on how to disconnect from the busyness of life, check out our previous blog,
How to Beat the Rat Race.
When we decide to commit our lives in pursuit of who God designed us to be daily, we’ll soon transform into that very person we always wanted to become.
