Regularly I get confronted with the feeling whether I am a human “doing,” or a human “being.”
All the appointments I so diligently run myself to, all the message and emails I try to stay on top of, all the lists I need to work through, it all seems to mean something about me if I don’t get my things down. All these “doings” are the things that seem to dictate my identity, but I have come to realize they are rather what hijacks my identity. And it is exhausting.
At first glance, the Bible gives us some contradicting signals concerning this too. It tells us that we are justified by our faith, but also that faith without deeds is dead. So which one is it? Are we primarily a “being” or a “doing”? And if we are a human “being” how can we find rest?
In my experience, one truth trumps: Our identity is in Christ, and He has given us everything we need for life and godliness. We are called children of God in John 1:12. We are justified through Jesus’ death on the cross. His sacrifice was enough. That is where everything starts and ends. His cross was, and is, our call into being a “human being” into entering the resting place.
But how do we do that though?
I’ve found that allowing myself the relief of believing I am God’s Beloved enters me into the resting place. The relief that I am accepted even if I do not stay on top of it all. The relief that God will provide, even when I let things slip through my fingers, that He will not allow me to be tried beyond my ability. The relief, and this is a risk, that He indeed is good, and indeed loves me; allowing myself to believe this, enters me into the resting place.
This is difficult to receive when so many in our society struggle with burn-out and depression. It is hard to see people hurting. We so desperately need the relief from the pressures of our society and to enter into the place we were meant to inhabit from the very start: as human beings walking with the Father. I pray that we might allow ourselves to receive that this gospel story of provision and love is true. And I pray that we might have the boldness to think that it is also meant for us, so that we might reject the constant busyness of “doing” in order to receive God’s Love and enter into His resting place.
In this holiday season my wish for us all is that we might remember how God created us to walk with Him in the garden in the cool of day. May we all find a resting place with Him who accepts us. Because Jesus came for all, and no one was excluded from His message of peace. For we are made “human beings” not “human doings,” and we are wonderfully made.
Kya Gorenflo and her husband, Joshua, are ministers at Kenai Fellowship, Mile 8.5 on the Kenai Spur Highway. Worship is 11 a.m. on Sundays. Streamed live at kenaifellowship.com.
