The Lie of: You Are What You Do

In Daily Devotional, Life Issues, Work by Daniel Im

Theme of the Week: You Are What You Do: Lies About Work, Life, and Love

Bible Verse: “Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these.” Matthew 6:29

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 10:4-7; Ecclesiastes 1:2-3; Matthew 6:28-30

What happens when our being is defined by our doing? When we believe the lie that we are what we do? And when this becomes the primary lens through which we measure success?

A life dictated by doing is not much of a life at all. There’s no end to a life of doing. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible to do enough. Even when you feel like you’ve accomplished all that you set your heart out to do, you will inevitably come across someone who has done more than you. So then what?

You are not what you do. Doing does not result in done. It only leads to more doing. In fact, there is no badge of honor in a life of doing – only exhaustion and despair.

One day, when Jesus was teaching his followers on a mountainside, he mentioned a man by the name of King Solomon. He didn’t talk about Solomon’s wisdom or riches. He didn’t bring up his lineage, nor did he mention anything the guy accomplished in his life. In fact, rather than praising Solomon and urging his followers to imitate him, he did the opposite – he slammed him.

He compared all that Solomon amassed, built, and developed, with birds and flowers. That’s right – with birds and flowers.

A life of doing only leads to a life of worrying. A life of worrying doesn’t result in satisfaction – it just leads to more doing because there’s no end to a life of doing. You’re ultimately not in control – only God is. And no amount of doing can change that.


Excerpted with permission from You Are What You Do by Daniel Im. Copyright 2020, B&H Publishing Group.


Copyright © 2020 Impactus | Promise Keepers Canada. All rights reserved.

About
Daniel Im
Daniel Im is the Lead Pastor of Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton, AB. Daniel is a speaker and leader who has traveled to cities like New York, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Seoul to teach, consult, and coach. He co-hosts the New Churches Q&A Podcast as well as the IMbetween Podcast and is the author of You Are What You Do, No Silver Bullets and Planting Missional Churches.
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Daniel Im
Daniel Im is the Lead Pastor of Beulah Alliance Church in Edmonton, AB. Daniel is a speaker and leader who has traveled to cities like New York, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Sydney, and Seoul to teach, consult, and coach. He co-hosts the New Churches Q&A Podcast as well as the IMbetween Podcast and is the author of You Are What You Do, No Silver Bullets and Planting Missional Churches.