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3 Lessons I Learned From Burnout

If I don’t matter in my work, do I matter? The problem with idols is, given enough time, they will crush us, and my idols crushed me, with their ever increasing demands.

Ephesians 1 and 2 have been immensely helpful here, helping me become a more centered, balanced and authentic person, re-rooting my identity back into the cross.
I am not what I do. I am not reduced to my output, my productivity. Ephesians 2:9“not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” It’s not my performance I stand in, but his promise.  

The writer of Hebrews reminds us: “But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God… For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Heb. 10:12,14). This means the performance can stop. We can stop trying to do, and simply be in Him because he has completed everything necessary for our salvation and sanctification through one single sacrifice. 

Now, the mask is off. Jim Carey says, “We all get to a place where we will have a choice. Either walk through the door and take off the mask, or die trying to be the person you’ve projected to be.” I’m not going to die trying to be a projection. I’m going to be me. Redeemed and rescued, forgiven and flawed. Needy of community, friendship and grace.

This is the beginning of this journey, for me, but I’m happier. More centered, more at peace, more content, this has felt like a deliverance. My taskmasters that were crushing me have been crushed by the One who will not share his glory with anyone and is relentlessly committed to his people for his name’s sake. Every day, every skill, every opportunity is a gift I don’t deserve, a gift to be stewarded, a gift to share. I’m done striving, it really is finished.

This article originally appeared here.