Silent Rx

I’ve been busy doing instead of being.  Between the celebratory events of last week and our schedule this week, I realized yesterday I had no idea what to write for today.  That’s weird for me.  Typically, a couple of days out, they’ll be a verse or phrase I’ll see or hear and I’ll know that’s what the Lord wants to talk about.  This time, nothing.

That’s when I realized I’ve been busy doing instead of busy being.  It’s such an irritating habit that’s hard to break in a world all about doing, not being.  When I say ‘being,’ I mean who I am versus what I do.

The value is in who I am, likewise for you.

Unfortunately, it’s such a hard concept to hold on to.  Our family just went to my husband’s HOF induction and 20^th reunion.  We had a great time, but everybody’s conversation centered around what they do.  Hardly anyone started off with questions that get to know the person.  As soon as we exchanged pleasantries they’d ask, “What do you do?”

I admit I felt pressure to make my humble writing projects sound exciting.  It didn’t matter, I still got some blank stares (cue the crickets in the background).  Do you know how I responded deep down?  By feeling pressure to get MORE done, which for a mother, isn’t hard to do.  Isn’t it funny how we confuse who we are with what we do, especially if what we’re doing isn’t going well?  We base our value on the outcome of our efforts.

Jesus’ silence caught my attention!  I’d gotten caught up in doing, explaining, and justifying— none of which He told me to do.  Jesus reminded me, He’s my seal of approval.  It’s not about what I do, but who I am.  Who am I?  I’m a fruit on the Vine.  My value rests in my position in Him.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.  John 15:4