Lord knows I’m a planner and producer.
I’ve got files and folders physical and digital stretching my future hopes into step-by-step endeavors. If you’ve got a topic to talk about, I’ve got a project you’re contributing to. The most visited destination in my mind is my idea mill. It’s a busy place!
Trouble is, it’s right next door to my idol factory. The one I’ve tried to shut down, condemn, and demolish. Someone keeps sneaking in and borrowing electric from the idea mill anyway.
Pushing Productivity
This became apparent when I recently asked my too-patient husband to spend time studying the Bible about a certain topic with me. He happily agreed. We went out for dates and opened the Word and dug into a topic I’d been wondering about. The man has wisdom and I treasured the time.
That was until the topic reached the end of the line and I had no product to show for it.
When we wrapped up and I had nothing to hold, no shiny piece to present, I didn’t count the time a blessing or the wisdom any gain. The idea of Bible study, pillaged and carried off to the idol factory, had been reshaped. And, as idols do, it demanded more. It failed to satisfy.
When Productivity Pushes Too Far
A few too many conversations later God convicted me in the quiet: let it be as it is.
At the time, I was studying Ezekiel.
In Ezekiel 16, God tells the story of His taking Israel for a bride. He tells of adorning her- how He gave her precious jewels and metals. He invested in her, marked her as His own, and it was all for His (and her!) delight.
But she saw the opulence as opportunity.
She turned in what she had freely received for a profit. What started as a blessing became an idol because she thought it would be better when it became something more.
Ironically, I read the passage twice, put it through processing, and took down notes for something else I’m working to produce.
But God, in His mercy, let it catch up to me again.
Calling It Good: Taking In Without Taking Over
I asked my husband to Bible Study more. With all sincerity and gentleness, he said he didn’t want to frustrate me again. His heart isn’t for generating, but savoring. He’s never been one to have an agenda.
When God gives that man gold, he treasures it.
I tend to look at gold and wonder what I can make if I melt it.
To be fair, there’s a place for both. There was another time in Israel’s history when God blessed people with plenty of gold and also commanded them to melt it and shape it! He makes people producers too.
But there’s only ever one agenda- His glory.
What God wants to build, He will build. When He’s calls it good, it’s good enough already! He doesn’t need my plans to craft more cunningly. He doesn’t need my design to produce more efficiently.
Thank the Lord that no defense arose when my guy explained why he was hesitant to venture into the Word with me. I understood because God- the One reinforcing the eviction notice at the idol factory- had already given me a new idea: taking in without taking over.
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Vision can cloud our view of what God has already adorned. What a blessing that there are natural-appreciators to remind us that God is also glorified in receiving well!
Do you try to take over what God gives you simply to take in?
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I’m like this a little bit, but I try to ask God if and when He wants me to “melt the gold and reshape.” You’re right, idols never satisfy. He’s there to remind me to check my motives and readjust them so He gets the glory. Thanks for your post, Bethany!
Definitely good to ask Him that : ) Thankful He reminds us to check our motives!
I’m like this a little bit, but I try to ask God if and when He wants me to “melt the gold and reshape.” You’re right, idols never satisfy. He’s there to remind me to check my motives and readjust them so He gets the glory. Thanks for your post, Bethany!
Definitely good to ask Him that : ) Thankful He reminds us to check our motives!
Bethany, thank you for striving to hold dear the Truth of God’s Word for its own sake. I am constantly in the process of taking a baseball bat to that idol factory. Sigh. If ever I am tempted to hang up a “Gone Fishin'” sign on my blog, it is over this issue.
Thank you, Michele! I hear you. Thankful that God’s Word is an adequate “bat” for the factory…and that His grace is sufficient and consistent. I’m blessed by your sincerity and humility, Michele.
Bethany, thank you for striving to hold dear the Truth of God’s Word for its own sake. I am constantly in the process of taking a baseball bat to that idol factory. Sigh. If ever I am tempted to hang up a “Gone Fishin'” sign on my blog, it is over this issue.
Thank you, Michele! I hear you. Thankful that God’s Word is an adequate “bat” for the factory…and that His grace is sufficient and consistent. I’m blessed by your sincerity and humility, Michele.
So good! When I get to that point there’s a still small voice that reminds me to not take over what God has given me. Let God be God.
Thank you.
Let God be God. What a great phrase to hold on to. Thank you!
So good! When I get to that point there’s a still small voice that reminds me to not take over what God has given me. Let God be God.
Thank you.
Let God be God. What a great phrase to hold on to. Thank you!
Bethany, my husband and I sound like you and yours. So thankful God sent him to help balance me. You post spoke to me today. Thanks so much.
Aw, that’s cool Debbie! I’m thankful for the balance too 🙂 Thank you!! Glad the Lord is using the words!
Bethany, my husband and I sound like you and yours. So thankful God sent him to help balance me. You post spoke to me today. Thanks so much.
Aw, that’s cool Debbie! I’m thankful for the balance too 🙂 Thank you!! Glad the Lord is using the words!
Hi Bethany- Lord help my over-producing soul! Thankfully, your insightful words (and transparency) provides an off button. You do a great job of exposing the thin wall between the idea mill and the idol factory. Thanks Bethany!
Lord, help mine too, Joy! Thankful you can identify and find His off-button too. That wall sure is thin!!
Hi Bethany- Lord help my over-producing soul! Thankfully, your insightful words (and transparency) provides an off button. You do a great job of exposing the thin wall between the idea mill and the idol factory. Thanks Bethany!
Lord, help mine too, Joy! Thankful you can identify and find His off-button too. That wall sure is thin!!
I want to give Him the glory, but sometimes I do just get into overdrive or hyper drive, I had to learn His rest.
Same, Rebecca!
I want to give Him the glory, but sometimes I do just get into overdrive or hyper drive, I had to learn His rest.
Same, Rebecca!
Wow, Bethany! This is good for me today. It’s a fine line to balance sometimes and I’m having to learn to savor and not over-produce. It’s a step by step thing. Thank you for these words of wisdom.
Thank you, Leslie! I’m so glad the Lord is using this experience of mine for you- it is such a fine line! Praying you can savor His gifts today!
Wow, Bethany! This is good for me today. It’s a fine line to balance sometimes and I’m having to learn to savor and not over-produce. It’s a step by step thing. Thank you for these words of wisdom.
Thank you, Leslie! I’m so glad the Lord is using this experience of mine for you- it is such a fine line! Praying you can savor His gifts today!
Yes, I am guilty of trying to take over what God has given me. I am so glad I am not alone. I just did a series on “Being Still, ” and boy was in convicting and challenging.
Today on my blog I nominated you for the Liebster Award. It is an honor to share your blog with my readers. Here is the link: https://www.embracingtheunexpected.com/honored-liebster-award/
You are definitely not alone in this, Maree! I’ll have to check out your “still” series : ) Congrats to Patricia on the nomination!!
Yes, I am guilty of trying to take over what God has given me. I am so glad I am not alone. I just did a series on “Being Still, ” and boy was in convicting and challenging.
Today on my blog I nominated you for the Liebster Award. It is an honor to share your blog with my readers. Here is the link: https://www.embracingtheunexpected.com/honored-liebster-award/
You are definitely not alone in this, Maree! I’ll have to check out your “still” series : ) Congrats to Patricia on the nomination!!
It’s so easy for me to fall into the trap of productivity as the end goal. But giving God the glory, regardless of what *I* accomplish in a day, is the true goal!
Isn’t regardless such a challenging but freeing word, Lisa? Amen!
It’s so easy for me to fall into the trap of productivity as the end goal. But giving God the glory, regardless of what *I* accomplish in a day, is the true goal!
Isn’t regardless such a challenging but freeing word, Lisa? Amen!
The satisfaction comes from the relationship, not from the work, doesn’t it? Sometimes in the rush to produce, we can forget that, can’t we? ((hug))
Amen, Brenda. So true!
The satisfaction comes from the relationship, not from the work, doesn’t it? Sometimes in the rush to produce, we can forget that, can’t we? ((hug))
Amen, Brenda. So true!
This kind of strikes a chord with me, Bethany. I had a similar experience today. I spoke at our church, and although I’d worked hard all week to prepare, somehow the message didn’t “fly” as I’d hoped. It was good, but not “awesome.” I felt convicted that all God was asking for was for me to serve Him humbly, sharing His Word with brothers and sisters. And that was enough. I’m not sure why, but I see a connection with what you’re sharing here. 🙂
I think I see the connection too, Betsy : ) Thankful that the Lord convicts us all uniquely- and for good. I pray that your humble, “not awesome” message encourages those you shared with to faithfulness this week!
This kind of strikes a chord with me, Bethany. I had a similar experience today. I spoke at our church, and although I’d worked hard all week to prepare, somehow the message didn’t “fly” as I’d hoped. It was good, but not “awesome.” I felt convicted that all God was asking for was for me to serve Him humbly, sharing His Word with brothers and sisters. And that was enough. I’m not sure why, but I see a connection with what you’re sharing here. 🙂
I think I see the connection too, Betsy : ) Thankful that the Lord convicts us all uniquely- and for good. I pray that your humble, “not awesome” message encourages those you shared with to faithfulness this week!