Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Heb. 13:5
“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. 1 John 4:18
Gracious Father, I begin today with a passion to live less of a driven life and more of a called life—a life marked by less fear and more freedom, less frenzy and more faith—a life lived at the pace of grace, not in the race get more, do more, be more.
It’s easy to see how driven-ness and busyness are rooted in fear and greed—the fear of not being enough and having enough; the fear of losing face and losing control; the fear of missing the mark and missing out. The elixir of man’s approval in a culture of competition is as destructive as it is deceitful.
By the gospel, change the price tags in our lives, Father. Show us the difference between greed and need, and the difference between trusting in our stuff and resting in Jesus. Forgive us for the ways we implicitly encourage burnout and perpetuate a culture of flameout—at work and at home.
Forgive us for ignoring the command to be still and know that you are God. Forgive us for not being content with what we have, and for not actively seeking to keep ourselves free from the love of money. Help us to treasure being present more than giving presents.
Father, only your perfect love can liberate us from our performance-ism and perfectionism. Drive out our fears by a greater grasp of your grace. Fell the idols of our hearts by the truth of the gospel and the power of the Spirit. Help us to slow down long before we rust out. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ glorious and grace-full name.
