Do more. Slow down.

Slow down...

Do you ever feel almost overwhelmed by the demands of life and work and ministry? Sure. We all feel that way... a lot!

As a busy leader, I find that I am simultaneously energized and drained by the demands of leadership. We have a large staff who all want their dreams and desires to be top priority. Sometimes, staffers are hurt when we have to say, "That's not a priority for us at this time." Working to maintain unity and synergy can be demanding.

God has a verse for busy people. Maybe it could help you. It's Psalm 46:10.

God is speaking. "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" (NIV). I like the New American Standard Version. "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth" (NASB). Another version says: "Let be and be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!" (Amp).

I've thought about the "Be still" or "Cease striving" part many times. But I've not done a good job connecting it to the rest of the passage.

See, I know that life is about exalting God. It's about magnifying the Lord. The goal can't be build a bigger building or draw a larger crowd. It can't be finding personal peace or affluence. Life is about magnifying Jesus. It's about making sure that He is spotlighted. As John Piper has tweaked the first question from the Westminster catechism, "Our purpose in life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever." So, if that's the goal, then Psalm 46:10 says to me that the pressure's off.

Why do I say this? God has promised in the verse to exalt Himself. I must be still. I must cease striving. He will get it done. Yet another version says, "Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me" (CEV).

Of course, we are given the privilege of working with Him. There are things we are to do. The budget won't get done without our working some. The ministry plans won't happen without our help. Our families need us for certain things. But the goal isn't budgets or buildings or baptisms that we help produce - that we help make happen. The goal is glorifying God.

And God says that He is going to get that done. We need to be still and watch Him do it. We need to cease striving. We need to relax. The pressure's off. And that's a good feeling for a guy like me who tends to let the work of the Lord crowd out the Lord of the work.