Our lives are not our to-do lists. We are more than the sum total of all that we accomplish in a given day, week, year, decade or lifetime.We are not defined by our schedules, activities, appointments, committees, and obligations.There is more to life than what we do.And the abundant life is not defined by how much is packed into our Day-Timers or PDAs.Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10b)Yet we live as if He said, “I came that you might have life and have it so busy and overcommitted that you’re hectic and frantic and can’t think straight and are chugging Maalox on the sly just to calm your stress symptoms.”We live as if we’re responsible to produce fruit in our lives, when John 15:5 says that our responsibility is simply to abide or remain in Christ. He is the vine. I am the branch. If I remain in Him, I’ll bear much fruit.Apart from Him, I can do nothing.Here’s John 15:4-5:”Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”Today, I do have things to do, places to go, people to see and all that.But my focus is to remain in Him.Life is about my relationship with Christ, because my life is in Christ. My life has been paid for by His blood.”I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).”When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory” (Colossians 3:4).My life is Christ’s……and Christ is my life.Because apart from Him, I can do nothing…and yet with Him, all things are possible.I want to live a life that glorifies Him, that points people to Him and loves them through Him…a life in which conversations are filled with meaning and acts of service are done out of love for the Lord and the joy of obeying and listening to Him. A life in which even a blog post can be devoted to Him.Remain in Him.See the fruit of His work in the world…in your life…in the lives of others.Life is about more than a to-do list.Life is about whose I am.
>>I want to live a life that glorifies Him, that points people to Him and loves them through Him…a life in which conversations are filled with meaning and acts of service are done out of love for the Lord and the joy of obeying and listening to Him. A life in which even a blog post can be devoted to Him.<<
I love this Anne. The whole shebang. Seeing as today is my day to discuss “doing” on my Tricks of the Trade Tuesday, I’ve linked to you so that people don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. So vital and energizing.
Thanks for the reminder to live a more “abundant” life! I needed to hear this right now.
Oh wow, I really needed to read/hear this today. I’ve been praying about some changes I need to make in my daily life and with my home-based business, and your post is an answer to some specific prayers. Thank you Ann, for saying it so well and for the reminders.
*sigh*
I really needed to read this today too.
I’m on spring break & I’ve been really hard on myself with having to be productive, not wanting to sleep in, etc.
Sometimes it’s ok to stop and breathe.
Thanks, Ann. I have to struggle to yank my surrender from my schedule. I’ve been led all the way from Arkansas to your posts a few times. You’re an encouragement.
Thank you. I definitely needed to hear this.
Wow. Just the TITLE smacked me between the eyes. I’m going to have to get over that first, and come back to fully absorb the post. Thanks, Ann.
Beautifully said Ann. For some reason I have always had a hard time getting past that “works mentality”. After all – if I do lots of stuff doesn’t that make me a good girl? I have had to work at just abiding and spending time with Him and allowing Him to work through me to do the things He wants to accomplish. Thank you for making it so clear.
So glad that this thought impacted you–thank you for taking the time to comment. Each one of you was used in my life when you did so.
Very well said! And a lesson I need to work on everyday! Thanks for putting that into words!
Ooh. Your last sentence is so spot-on. That’s going to be echoing in my head for a good long time!
Simply… “Thank You!” I needed a reminder!