Doing Or Being? Most of us in western culture judge our self-worth by what we do. Others judge us by what we do, also. That is why we unconsciously place such great importance on doing rather than being.
All you do is a result of what you are, so what you are becoming is more important than what you are doing.
Activity does not necessarily equal productivity -- especially for eternity!
PSALM 127:1 NKJ
1 Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it . . . .Anything lasting you do in God's kingdom must be done with God's help and grace -- not by self-effort.
1 CORINTHIANS 3:13 NKJ
13 each one's work will become manifest; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is.If what you are doing will not last -- can it be that important?
Your responsibility is to obey God -- to do what He directs you to do. That will focus you first on being what God wants you to be, such as being thankful, being joyful, being yielded to God, and being full of faith in God.
ACTS 1:8 NKJ
8 "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me . . . ."Being a witness is not the same as what some call witnessing.
A light in a dark room can be easily seen -- unless it is totally covered. There is no struggle to give off light; it just does what comes naturally. It manifests what it is. That is being a witness.
EXODUS 24:12 NKJ
12 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them."God wants us to spend time just being with Him, to prepare us for what He wants to give us. Important things happen even when you do not realize it.
Time is necessary to mold you into what God wants you to be. You can change what you do quickly, but changing what you are inwardly can take time.
MARK 3:14 NKJ
14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach,First it was necessary for Jesus' disciples to be with Him. Only after they had been with Him a long time were they sent out to preach.
MARK 1:17 NKJ
17 Then Jesus said to them, "Come after Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."Disciples of Jesus become fishers of men. Because of what they become inwardly, they fish for men.
EPHESIANS 2:10 NKJ
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.You were created to do good, and it only happens because of what you are. What you are determines what you will do. So, God is first interested in what you are, and in what you are becoming.
ROMANS 8:29 NKJ
29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.God is preparing you for what lies ahead. If Jesus is your Lord, you will become like Him!
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