Our community is reading through a book by Christine and Tom Sine called, Living On Purpose. It’s a good book with some really good quotes. It’s also a great alternative to all the other “purpose-driven living” books on the market, both secular and Christian.

Any way, I came across a great little quote in the book that I wanted to post. It’s called “Psalm 23, Antithesis” by Marcia K. Hornok.

The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest.
It makes me lie down only when exhausted.
It leads me to deep depression, it hounds my soul.
It leads me in circles of frenzy for activity’s sake.
Even though I run frantically from task to task,
I will never get it all done, for my ‘ideal’ is with me.
Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me.
They demand performance from me, beyond the limits of my schedule.
They anoint my head with migraines, my in-basket overflows.
Surely fatigue and time pressure shall follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the bonds of frustration forever.

I need to confess that I feel like this regularly, especially today. All day I felt this internal pressure to get work done. I felt frustrated and on edge because I wasn’t getting “stuff” done. And yet, I had the opportunity to enjoy a day off, a time to spend with my family.

But this kind of drivenness is SIN! The problem is that our Californian culture has legitimized this lifestyle. We call it normal and somehow that’s supposed to make it okay.

Now I’m not saying the alternative is a lazy, inactive lifestyle. Rather, it’s a lifestyle like Jesus — internally in sync with his Father’s kingdom so that he accomplished the Father’s will naturally and easily. Sometimes he was so busy he didn’t have time to eat or sleep. And sometimes he just spent time hanging out with children or people.

That’s why he says in Matthew 11, “Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me — watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (The Message)

Father, forgive me for being driven by the need to perform and accomplish. Forgive me for syncing my inward life to the pulse of the world around me. Help me to keep company with you so that I can be swept up in your rhythms of grace. And from that place of peace and trust, may your mission flow.