So why are we so busy? As I chase that rabbit as the saying goes eventually it takes me down a rabbit hole marked, “fear.” Really? you say. Yep. It goes something like this. I “need” to do this extra project at work because if I don’t my boss won’t recognize my other good work and consider me for other positions when they come available. I “need” to get that new title at work so my family and friends will see that I’m “successful.” I “need” to see that my children get to try multiple sports, dance, and music lessons from preschool age up so they can find their talent early and not be “behind” the curve of their friends. It’s “education” after all. I “need” to participate in or lead at least 2-3 church and/or community groups to contribute to society. It is my Christian duty and everyone else can do it – so can I. I’m not lazy you know. The list could go on and on but you get the idea. The key words here being, “I need”. When I think about why I might “need” these things a little further down that rabbit hole I run smack dab into a sign which reads, “fear”. Fear of what you might say. Fear of : not being “good enough”; not being “loved”; failure; rejection; or a myriad of other things. You can fill in the blank with what come to your mind. When I really stop and think about this I believe the core of this fear is wanting to be accepted and loved or respected for who we are. We somehow have gotten the notion that if we don’t “do” a hundred things no one will appreciate us. We get it all twisted in our minds.
As I told you in my last post I recently broke my arm. Our kids sent me balloons. Our son and daughter-in-law live close and came over and got me the first Sunday after my surgery when Mark had to be gone for the whole day. They made lunch for me and provided a movie for my afternoon entertainment. Very sweet. I loved it. However, I do NOT love them more because they did that. I love them because they are our kids. They are an amazing source of joy in my life just by being in my life. The truth is I love them even when I don’t see them in my day and we haven’t talk in several days…I just love them. That’s how God feels about us. He loves us. (period) You might want to take a minute and listen to this song. It pretty much says it all. How He Loves He considers us treasures.. He love us. “…the Lords unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him.” Psalm 32:10b. If we know, really know, that God’s love “surrounds” us what more to we really need? I’m discovering how free I really am when I know that I have the love of God surrounding me. It’s amazing the difference in my mental attitude. So much less stress. I still care about what others think of me but not so much that it dictates every decision I make. I’m becoming more secure in the love of God in my life.
Does any of this ring a bell in your mind and heart? Take some time to “chase this rabbit” and let me know what you think. Do you agree that fear often rules in our minds? I don’t sit around feeling afraid or consciously thinking I’m afraid of… it has just been there, deep inside. Which is why I’m challenging us to take some time to chase the rabbit. We often just do things because we have always done things “that way.” Slow down, look around and think why do I keep myself so busy?
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