You are a Human Being Not a Human DOING

Back in the early summer after hearing alot of talk about the Enneagram, I started investigating it myself. I know not everyone is a fan, but for me it proved to be a helpful tool for self-reflection.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Enneagram, it includes 9 personality types (Click HERE for a very brief overview). Trying to confirm my type I listened to a few podcast interviews with people whose number I thought might also be mine. Sure enough, all it took was hearing this quote:

“You are a human being not a human doing.”

It resonated so strongly, I knew it was me being described. If you don’t share my number (I’m a 3 btw) you may wonder why I found such a simple statement so profound. But for someone like me, who is constantly doing, striving to be productive and achieve – as if my worth depended on it – I needed this reminder.

My guess is regardless of your personality, hearing this may also be good for you since we all turn to false identities – appearance, productivity, parenting, and good works, to name few – looking for acceptance and approval. Your “doing” may just look a little different from mine.

For me, I find great satisfaction, pridefully so, in accomplishing tasks. It makes me feel good about myself, and my day. And quite honestly it can become a comparative measuring stick that sets me (in my mind) above those doing less, not carrying their weight or following through. I know that sounds awful, it’s one way I know I need Jesus!

On top of that yuckiness, my agenda-driven “doing” often leads me to place a higher premium on getting things done than sacrificing for others. As I’ve thought about this, it ultimately boils down to my desire for control and self-sufficiency. I love to be with others, when it’s scheduled in. But unexpected deviances to my schedule, interruptions to my time, not so welcomed. It makes me feel anxious that I won’t get my stuff done, and I hate things hanging over me.

But God has been gently showing me that I’m operating out of a scarcity mentality that leads to me hoarding my time, instead of trusting him to abundantly provide for all my needs. In my lack of trust, I’m living as if it’s up to me. As if I am He.

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gently and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Rest.

He is calling me to rest in him. To rest in his work and worth for me: the “It is finished” that secures God’s love and approval of me. His performance is the basis of my true identity, which means I have nothing to prove!

• Who cares than if I don’t get everything done on my to-do list, if my identity is secure in Christ?
• If he’s stamped me “Approved” than why can I not lay aside my “doing”?
• What is enough anyway when there is always more to do?

As he would have it, this thought-process began at the start of a built-in season of rest. Isn’t that cool, he gives us the summer season and a Sabbath day each week to help reorient us to his rest? So I spent the summer mindful of my need of his rest. Certainly not perfectly (thankfully since he was perfect for me that’s okay!) but I did toss the to-do list a little more often to enjoy time by the pool reading, or with the family. (In case you’ve seen my Instagram monthly posts and wondered how I read so many books, that’s how!)

Now that the fall schedule is kicking in, so is the busyness. We can’t totally avoid it. But my prayer is God would help me to Rest in his work so I can work in his rest!

My prayer is God would help me to Rest in his work so I can work in his rest!Click To Tweet

*Typology podcast episode 17 with guest Drew Moser