The Hustle Isn't Helping

Lately, I've noticed a number of Instagram profiles of self-described Jesus lovers who #hustle. They post about finding your path to success, working harder than the other guy, and living the life of your dreams. Okay, those aren't bad things in and of themselves, but something about that message doesn't feel right. The focus seems...off.

Here's the top definition of "hustle" at Urban Dictionary:

To have the courage, confidence, self-belief, and self-determination to go out there and work it out until you find the opportunities you want in life.

That's a whole lot of "self." When we strive to be the best salesperson, the top lawyer, or the person with the fab car, who are we really glorifying? Again, there's nothing wrong with hard work. And if you happen to top the sales charts, Great! If you become valedictorian of your class, Awesome! But our identity should never be about our personal success. Friends, I've fallen into that trap on multiple occasions, and it's not a place you want to live your life. I've tried the "best student" gig as well as a job in the epicenter of Washington power. These things don't satisfy, and they shouldn't define who you are.

And do we think Jesus really came to encourage us in the hustle? Hey, you can do it! Keep up the hard work. You'll have that dream home in no time. My answer is an emphatic NO! Jesus came to set our hearts at rest -- to show us how to be one with the Father, how to love and be loved.

I'm not suggesting we never need to work. Jesus didn't instruct us to sit around eating Ben and Jerry's and watching Netflix all day. (Although some days that does sound appealing.) What he did tell us is to abide in him. (John 15:1-7) I realize you may be familiar with this passage. Maybe you even have it committed to memory. But I knew the passage for a long time before I truly began to understand it, and God continues to reveal its profound depth to me. When Jesus describes his Father as the gardener who cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, he's revealing a vital necessity for our lives. Ouch! I know I've sure needed a lot of pruning, and the process isn't pleasant; but it's so worth it!

For years, what I absorbed from religion led me to believe that abiding was something I had to do. If I just read my Bible everyday and got through my prayer list, that was abiding -- but I didn't even do a very good job of that. Truthfully, I was missing what Jesus was saying by a long shot. If you've visited my blog before, you may know this isn't the first time I've said this, but it bears repeating. Abiding has nothing to do with doing. It's all about being -- being at rest and allowing God to be our beginning, our end, and everything in between. In this place, He becomes our identity.

There is no amount of hustle that is going to bring you closer to God. Will it bring you to some of your personal goals? Perhaps. But maybe we need to re-evaluate our personal goals. If we're really following Jesus, our number one goal should be an intimate relationship with his Father. Our Father. This has nothing to do with religion, but everything to do with relationship. And this relationship is found in rest.

If you're out there hustling to get that "abundant life" Jesus promised, you're going to end up disappointed. Abundant life can never be found in the things of this world. It can only be found when we slow down long enough to let God work in our hearts. We have to let him pull out the weeds, till the soil, and cultivate his love in our hearts. It is the only way.

Take time and ponder what it means to belong to the one who is Love. Let him be the one who fashions your dreams. Be still and encounter him. Breathe and let him fill you. He is more than willing.

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10