I have an introduction to make. Meet Be and Do – they are good friends.
Be likes to rest, watch and know.
Do likes to run, climb, and balance.
Most people think they never hang out together, but the truth is, the world is a better place when they enjoy life together.
Unfortunately, I often forget that Be and Do are friends. I too easily slip into a dangerous mindset that “Do” is better than “Be”. Please don’t be fooled like I have been. This mindset could not be further from the truth.
I rush to do great things in the community, do great things as a church member, do great things as a mom.
All the while, I am called to be filled with peace, to be aware of His love, to be attuned to His voice, to be light in the darkness.
This dangerous mindset of “do over be” demands that enjoying the love of God is elementary compared to “doing” the works of God. But really, the only way we can “do” good, is to “be” with and in the One who is good.
If we can learn to “be” connected to God’s good heart for us and our world, the things we “do” throughout our day will glisten with His glory.
Here are a 3 ideas to help you “be” while you “do”.
1. Breath prayers that declare truth. “Pray without ceasing.” 1 Thess. 5:17
As easily as you breathe in and out, say a prayer. As you are walking from your bed to your coffee pot, from your shower to your closet, from your house to your car, from your car to your office, and all throughout your day, say small phrases and prayers that acknowledge His presence, His promises, His love.
“You are here with me.”….”I am covered with your love”…”You are my peace”…”You say that I am precious in Your sight”…”You delight in me”…
As you sense that He may be saying something back to you in the quietness of a heart whisper, in a visual image or in a circumstance, respond back to Him and keep the conversation going. Be attuned to His voice; He is speaking more than we think.
2. Renew your mind while you sit in traffic. “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2
Write a promise from God’s word a note card and stick it in the dashboard of your car. When you are at a stop light or stuck in traffic, glance down and meditate (think and read and think and read…) on His truth. As you read it and believe it, your life will begin to align with truth and you will “become” who He created you to be. Some great promises to begin with are…
“Do not be afraid, I have redeemed you. You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you pass through the rivers they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned.” Isaiah 43:2
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him with a song.” Psalm 28:7
Declare and believe those words to be true for your life. As those words become reality in your heart and mind, share them with people you meet throughout your day who need such truth. We are all aching for Hope.
3. See people with God’s eyes. “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” Proverbs 12:25
Genuinely encourage people you see at work, at the gym, at your play group, at church, at the grocery store by asking God to help you see them how He sees them. A friend recently taught me a great phrase that helps me encourage others. Simply say, “when I look at you, I see ________.” Fill in the blank with the good that God shows you in that person. It may not neccessarily be apparent with normal eyes, but when looking through God’s perspective, you see their God-given potential. As you speak out their potential, they will become more free to walk into the fruitful life that God has for them. It doesn’t matter if that person is a Christian or not- we are called to be a blessing to all people! Let your light shine into the darkness through words of life!
…”When I look at you, I see a woman of unshakable faith and deep strength”…”When I look at you, I see a child deeply loved and cherished by God”…”When I look at you, I see a forward thinking leader”…”When I look at you, I see a person who is attentive to the needs of others, a humble-hearted friend”…
As you dialogue with God in simple prayers, renew your mind with unchanging truth, and speak God’s heart to others, I pray that you, too, will find that “be” and “do” go hand in hand.
Such living is the beauty of heaven and earth intersecting and overlapping. It is the reason He came.
“For in Him, we live and move and have our being.” Acts. 17:28