More Than Productivity: Rediscovering Your Worth

“You are obviously very busy and doing a lot of good things, but let’s focus for a minute on being rather than doing.  Who are you when you aren’t doing anything”?  

The words hung in the silence that followed.  Why would I be doing nothing?  I thought.  What does that even mean?  If I was hoping for a “soft opening” in my very first spiritual direction call, this wasn’t it.  In my initial defensiveness I wondered, was this some go-to trick question that spiritual directors spring on new clients in their first session? 

But as the quiet seconds ticked slowly by, my own questions began forming in my mind.  Could it be I am more than just what I do?  Am I valuable whether I am being “productive” or not?   

Measuring My Worth

For decades I have professed faith in a God who loves us as we are - and that nothing we do changes that love.  Many times, I have reminded and encouraged others with this important truth.  And yet, ironically, as the responsibilities of life, family, work and church piled up, I began to measure myself by how well (or not) those things seemed to be going.  I sorted my activities into “productive/unproductive” or “good/bad” buckets.  Inevitably, I began to ride a roller coaster of highs and lows:  Is my family happy?  Did the meeting go well?  Is the church program growing? 

A New Way of Seeing

The questions above from that first spiritual direction discussion sparked a shift in my thinking (and doing) that is ongoing.  I still enjoy accomplishments, and by no means do I suggest everyone stop doing good things (the world needs everyone’s help in that area)!  But slowing enough to consider important questions like these can lead to a more balanced perspective and a healthier version of you. 

Contrary to popular cultural and spiritual narratives, I’ve found this kind of reflection to be an unselfish act—one that benefits not only me, but those around me.

Pause for a few minutes today and ask yourself: 

• Who am I when I’m not performing?

• Who/what am I allowing to measure my worth?

• How would I benefit from a change in my current perspective?  How would others benefit? 

Contemplation Verse: “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  1 Samuel 16:7

Blessings,

David