We live in this time where humanity has bought into this hustle culture. We frantically try to get everything done in our schedule, whether it’s hitting the gym before work, going to dance class, dropping the kids off at swim lessons after school, picking up dinner, or cleaning the house. We strive to get our daily life sorted before giving ourselves the space to settled into the couch and scroll for a few hours before bed.
I am not saying that these things are all bad, with everything in life: moderation is important for sustainability. What I am saying is that our society has come to a state of expecting that you and everyone else should remain busy. If you’re not hustling, then you’re lazy.
God wants us to enjoy our time on this earth, to enjoy the gifts that he has given us and to embrace the time we have here. But he has not called us to hustle in the mundane for fear of being considered lazy by our fellows. The world judges by outward things, God judges by the heart. When we allow ourselves to become consumed by the outward, we lose sight of the inward: our spiritual condition. What is our main purpose as followers of Christ? To be in relationship with God, to be in relationship with others and to share Gods heart with the world. How can we expect to do that if we are not taking the time to be still in his presence and embrace the mission that he has place on our heart.
We cannot conform to this world, to the hustle. It is a form of distraction that pulls away from the one relationship that will sustain us through every up and down. Are you finding yourself too busy to spend time with God? Are you filling in the holes in your schedule because you no longer know what to do with the down time? Have you been making excuses in an effort to protect your unsustainable lifestyle?
Step back for moment, consider what your priority has been over the last few years, where have you been investing your time? Has it been within the realm of hustle culture, do you know how to take time away from the noise of the daily life to settle your soul into the arms of your creator?
If you feel like you have been fixated on the hustle, I encourage you to try these things to help get yourself back on track:
1. PRAY – it doesn’t have to be complicated – ask God to help you see what areas you need to prioritize and even HOW you can do that. The LISTEN.
2. PRIORITIZE – there are some responsibilities that must be done; make a list for your week ahead and determined what can stay and what needs to go.
3. TIME LIMIT – set a time limit on your phone and other devices.
4. BIBLE – read it. Not social media posts, actually open your own bible and ask God to show himself to you in it – he WILL provide if you are obedient.
5. BE STILL – you may have to train yourself to know that “quiet time” is GOOD. We have voluntarily filled our days with noise (activities, scrolling… etc..) Your mind and your body likely will need time to get back to the basics of simply existing in stillness.
6. REPEAT – This is about progress not perfection.
You may slip up, that’s okay, try it and see how you feel after – see what God is showing you and remember that even if you find yourself suddenly back on the hustle conveyer belt, you can always come back to the basics again – over time it WILL become easier to remain still throughout the chaos of this life. God is your only source of peace in the midst of it all. Lean on him and be obedient – he is faithful and he will provide for you everything you need.
Praying for your journey today, may the God of peace bring you the stillness that can only come from him.
Melanie
I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also, that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil –
this is God’s gift to man.
Ecclesiastes 3:12
People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
Do not conform to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2
And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me I paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Psalm 23:2-3
Comments