Ahh, to be free from the treadmill of life! What a wonderful freedom indeed! What is the treadmill of life, you ask?
Well, let’s see, when you wake up in the morning, your feet hit the floor and your mind starts running through a list of things to do that, when accomplished, you will be validated as a useful person, worthy of the space you occupy. Of course, there is never any success on this treadmill because, well, treadmills just keep going round and round, never arriving at any destination. Thus, you end up feeling overwhelmed, useless, kinda stupid, and like a failure.
Actually, the same way a treadmill goes round and round, so does the list of things to do. Do items such as dishes and laundry ever come off the list? I think not! (Not at my house anyway.)
I visited family this weekend and saw the treadmill in action. I felt the pull of it’s deception but recognized what it was – and praise God, I didn’t get on! I realized that every time I was around my family, I would almost frantically make sure I was doing things that needed to be done so I could prove that I am a good person. It made it almost impossible to spend time with the Lord because the pull to earn my worth was so great.
But not this time. The Lord simply asked me, “What are you doing and why?” You know how the Lord has a way of saying something so simple and it’s like this curtain is pulled back and you see things in a whole new way? It was like that. All I had to do was say, “I’m not doing that anymore”, and I had peace.
Once I saw the treadmill for what it was, I made sure I went straight to the Lord and spent time with Him. It was a challenge, because that noisy list was still trying to get my attention. So I just stood on the dock by the lake surrounded by natural beauty and worshipped Him. After awhile, He spoke to me. “You’re not here to get, you’re here to give.”
What a revelation! I was not here to get approval because I already have it from my Daddy God. Because of Jesus, I have everything I need for life and godliness. Now, I can really make a difference in my family because I can give. It’s really hard to give when you’re trying so hard to get something because then your motives are self-centered. Praise God, another win for the Spirit, and a bit more of quiet death for the flesh!
Let me clarify, my family is not terrible. This kind of treadmill thinking is from the past. I thank God that He is working in the lives of my family members and together we are growing closer to Him as we work out our salvation. We are all in different places in our walk and it requires grace, patience and hope for each one.
For me, I thank God that I am finally beginning to grasp who I am in Christ. I know I am loved. I am accepted. I have great value because He loves me. I am His. Just try to mess with that! I am His – what can anyone do to me? Wow!
