I attended a work related function where the theme was “Better and Faster”. The presenter was hype; I mean the kind of presentation where he was jumping on and off the stage, working the crowd, and punching through a series of glitzy visual aids. As entertaining as it was, I will admit that after awhile I was thinking “Whoa dude…slow down, you’re making me crazy with all this frenetic energy you’re bringing to the room.”
As an introvert I’ve learned to be aware of the signs when I’m starting to feel overwhelmed by all of the “stuff” going on around me. And as much as I would have liked to sneak out the back of the room and retreat to a quiet place, I couldn’t. As a coping mechanism I’ve learned to retreat to my quiet place internally.
Don’t get me wrong! I’m all for getting better. All of the people who know me would also tell you that I’m not the most patient person, so I shouldn’t have a problem with faster. However the driving factor should be the reason we want to be better and faster. Is our desire to be better and faster is to get “there” before our competitor does? Do we want to be better and faster so that we can show the world that we achieved something and we expect their adoration? Are we seeking some kind of recognition?
While I was having my moment of internal reflection (since I couldn’t escape the room and secretly hoping that the presenter didn’t single me out for one of his “in your face” exercises!) I started to reflect on my life and my motivations. When have I been driven by the world’s standard to be better and faster? You know what I mean…trying to keep up with the Joneses. This desire to be better and faster can even translate over into our work life. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Psalms 139:14 already declares that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Just as the Lord told Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7 to not to be concerned with stature because He looks at the heart, the same goes for us. It’s not the length of our resume or how many connections we have on Linked In. According to Romans 5:8, He has already commanded his love to us when He sent Christ to die for us. We are worthy! We don’t have to get ourselves in a frenzy trying to prove how worthy we are to God. He knew it when He created us and even more so when He saved us.
So, the lesson for me was that I don’t have to get caught up in this cycle of pushing and striving to be better and faster. God has already equipped me to do what He has called me to do. My focus then should be on doing that which He has called me to do with excellence and with all the energy I have in the time I’m on this earth.
Application Question: When was the last time you were involved in a project or task? What was your motivation?
Prayer: God, when I feel myself being pulled into the world’s hype, help me to slow myself down and go into a quiet place and meditate on You. Fill me up with Your thoughts. Clear my mind of all that is going on around me so that I can hear from You only. Then after hearing from you God, give me the courage to step back, if necessary, so that I can be firmly focused in the direction You want me to go. Amen.
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