BE, then DO

When what we DO is born out of a sense of strong roots in BEING, then the whole engine runs so smooth we forget about the many moving parts that make it so. This is when we focus on destination, get excited about end-goals, push the pedal just a little harder without the pushback we'd feel if the engine wasn't what it was; under perfect control.

When we guard this sense of BEING as the mainspring of everything that flows from it; this time alone with God to reflect on what he is saying to our heart, we find the joy in DOING what we have energy for, what we're made for, what we cannot help but succeed in.

This is true when we reach out to connect with family and friends. When we go to work for our church, ministry, or business. When we sit down to pay the bills and divert income to grow. This is when things are in balance.

When we value and make space in our day and week for this time we NEED alone to simply soak in the essence of our being and the joys of what the Lord has in store for all of eternity, and connect with the prophetic moment we are in and find our place in it, then we can control the valves that sap our energy from this place and require us to perform.

Performance is good. There is much work to do at home, in the world, and right in front of us, right now. It is good work and it must be done. But this is about the valves that control how much of US the work of DOING gets in any one arena, and ultimately prizing the mainspring, our heart-life.

To exercise the valves that ensure our life-work is in balance, we must say no to excess; no to demands that demand we give up our time-alone to simply be. To say yes to the core of who we are and the mainspring of our heart-relationship with our God, there are things we need to say no to, at home, with friends, and at work.

For instance, if in the centre of our BEING 100% of us is required, then let's say that our home and friend-life requires less, let's say they need 80% of us, relationally, or showing up intentionally, simply to be together, to connect. That leaves 20% of us, performance-wise, to fix the baseboards, or pick up groceries, or go along to the doctor's visit as advocate. This ratio probably doesn't reflect many of our home-life realities, but you get the idea: that unless we are spending more time relating to the people we love, than running errands and filling in to-do lists, then we're probably running on empty.

Work-wise, it's almost the opposite ratio. At work (paid or unpaid) it's 80% about DOING and about 20% RELATING OR SIMPLY BEING. And the point I want to make here is this is a HEALTHY RATIO. But when the DOING takes over 100% of who we are and what we have to offer, leaving not even a fraction of time and energy to simply be and share who we are with those around us (and allow them to do the same) and/or to actively grow in our gift rather than only and forever pouring out, out, out - well, it's then that we RISK BURN OUT. Worse, we RISK ALIENATION FROM OURSELF AND OTHERS around us.

So, it's important to preserve, to guard, to cherish the time we have to ourselves. The solo time to reflect. The prayerful time to connect with the One who made us and loves us an indescribable amount. This is OUR TIME. To BE and to BECOME. And it's up to us to keep the valves well-oiled that allow us to limit the performance time we give to friends, family, co-workers, clients, bosses and colleagues.

We can't be in be-mode all the time unless we live a life of full-time leisure, but we can recognize the incredible value of getting the ratio right, and reap truly satisfying rewards.

It's vital that we have enough time in our day and week alone to shore up our inner resources and sense of BEING, so that when we are called upon to perform, show up, give-out, we don't burn out. We don't run dry to the bone. Our engine doesn't overheat and our belts don't snap and our bearings don't go... you get the idea.

When we work out of a sense of well-being, when our engine is running smooth and we have power in reserve, we accomplish so much more with less stress, less doubt, less resentment.

We feel we are doing what we're supposed to do, how we're made to do it, because our inner-tank is full to overflowing. And even when our inner-tank is struggling, simply spending time with it and attending to its needs, validating our spiritual life and the part of us that is so unique and made to shine "like a star in a dark universe" has value, holds worth. It is in this place we are made certain that we are loved, known and heard; and that is good. It is a peace we convey to each person we meet when we live close to this wellspring of the heart. It is a joy. A strength we pass on. A confidence we bring to each project, a vision to live well, be well and do well.

Worth, our worth in God's eyes, is worth pursuing regardless of what other goods we seek to attain this side of heaven, all of which may be good. But this, this is REALLY GOOD.

Happy driving.

FOR MORE ON SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES that lead to a solid calm, check out my books on Amazon, or on my Bookstall at www.daynamazzuca.com. Thanks!