Striving vs. Abiding

I awoke this morning at 6am, reset the alarm for 7am, then 7:30am. I just could not get up, I was so tired. So I dragged myself out of bed finally and got dressed, combed the hair, brushed the teeth, and sat down on my futon to look over my assignment papers. I was still so tired, I fell asleep briefly. Finally I gave up, reset the alarm for 11:45am and crawled back into bed.

I should have been shooting all this morning, having all my film turned in by 10am, but I also needed the rest so badly. It's an overwhelming feeling, when you are so behind on everything and don't have the energy to do it. Once I finally got up, I grew anxious about trying to get it all done. I sat down at my computer and checked my email, and here's an email devotion that my dad forwarded on to me this morning. It was just what I needed. A great reminder that all my efforts will leave me exhausted, unless I abide in Christ.


Striving vs. Abiding

by Os Hillman

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. ~ Psalm 127:1a

What does it mean for the Lord to build the house? It almost seems a contradiction when we consider that we might be the builders in this passage. God wants us to allow Him to build the house. He explains further:

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat - for He grants sleep to those He loves (Psalm 127:1-2).

God is telling us there is a way of working without striving. There is a way to conduct business without sweating and toiling for outcome. His warning to each of us is to avoid thinking that outcome is based on our sweat and toil. Outcome is based on obedience. That outcome is sometimes more than we deserve. Sometimes it is less than we hoped for. His desire for each of us is to see Him working in our daily work life. He wants us to avoid looking to our own effort to gain an outcome.

One day Jesus called out to Peter from the shore of the lake and suggested he throw his net on the other side of the boat. It was this simple act of obedience that yielded a tremendous catch that he would not have received unless he obeyed.

We are called to work; He is called to bring forth the fruit. He is the vine. We are the branches. Fruit comes forth naturally from a healthy tree.

Today, ask God to show you when you enter into striving. Ask Him to show you the difference between loving trust and obedience and striving for outcome. It can be challenging for us to balance this in our daily work experience. He wants to help us walk in this freedom and rest.