by Jeffrey Bush
Recently, I heard a statement that made me think. It went something to the effect of “It’s more important what you become than what you accomplish.” In other words, God cares more about what you become for Him than what you do for Him. I believe the same can be said about all those closest to you. Your spouse, children, and those you serve would rather see your faithfulness instead of your fruitfulness. By all means, work at being fruitful and accomplishing much, but don’t do it at the cost of your integrity and losing those around you. Below, I want to share a few areas in which we should focus on “becoming” as opposed to “accomplishing.”
- Continue Growing — Ecclesiastes 10:10; 2 Peter 2:1-2
In your spiritual life, keep growing. In your marriage, as a parent, as a friend, and in every area of God-given responsibility, continue growing. Don’t become satisfied when God has given you tools to grow into a better and stronger individual for the Lord.
- Stay Sensitive — Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19
God speaks about not grieving or quenching the Holy Spirit. Our words and actions can hurt our Heavenly Father, and they can hurt others as well. Stay sensitive to seeing the needs of those around you. Stay sensitive to the fact that people are in need of a Savior, people are hurting, your family needs you, and God wants to speak to you. Life can beat you up, but do not become cold, calloused, and calculated that you lose a sweet and sensitive spirit. Stay sensitive if you want to become who God wants you to become.
- Be Consistent — 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9
There’s certainly a need to change and improve, but be consistent when it comes to what is right and righteous. God warns about those who are “given to change.” (Proverbs 24:21). Unstable, inconsistent people will hurt themselves and those around them. Be consistent in working hard, loving others, following Christ, staying in His Word, and doing what He has placed in front of you. It’s easy to quit, give up, walk away, and pick up the next novelty, but be consistent where God has placed you.
- Discipline Self — 1 Corinthians 9:27; Hebrews 12:11
Discipline is doing what you should do when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not. Desire might kickstart you, but discipline will keep you going when the desire fades away. Discipline is needed to accomplish something but also to avoid becoming what you should not become – lazy, careless, apathetic, unloving, hardened, and unfocused. Discipline yourself not to lose track of what God has placed in front of you, what your responsibilities are, and what matters in life. Don’t let your emotions drive you. Stay disciplined and do what’s right, no matter the effort or time required. Discipline yourself to become what God wants you to become.
It’s a mirage to work like crazy to accomplish the goal and knock down anything in your way to attain that goal. While you should most certainly work hard, if you prioritize being who you should be, the accomplishments will most likely take care of themselves.
