Is it me, or does it seem every area of our lives now has a level of excellence-to-be-achieved attached to it? We measure our lives’ success by

• The number of followers and friends we have on social media.
• Our income.
• The success of our kids.
• Our jean size.
• How busy we are.

 

I’m tired. I will never measure up to any of the criteria set forth by the culture. I’m tired of never being enough in the eyes of the world and sometimes even the church.

At age 55 I know who I am. I know my priorities—relationship with God, family, friends, ministry, school—and I give them my best. I will never be the most clever person or writer. I will never be the most popular anything. I don’t see my jean size going down anytime soon and the thought of adding activities in order to appear to care about stuff I don’t care about—well, it makes me claustrophobic.

Don’t misunderstand me—I’m still very much in process. I’m still working to become more like Christ every day. And I’m okay with that. But I’m giving myself permission to not care about the things that don’t really matter. My life is rich and full with the things and people God has shown me are mine to care about—my circle of influence. It’s here that I pour my life and efforts into. I love it here.

Jesus lived His life this way. He healed those God showed Him to heal, but not everyone (Mark 1:29-39). He didn’t care about popularity and let it be know He did not care what the popular group thought (Matthew 15:1-14). He spent time with His Father even though the urgent called for His attention (Luke 4:42). He wasn’t part of anything that wasn’t God’s plan for Him (John 5:30, 6:38). Jesus lived life unhurried and touched thousands of lives while on earth and innumerable lives for eternity.

God’s plan for us is not to measure up to the world’s expectations. His plan for each of us is unique but it will always center around loving Him and loving others (Matthew 22:37-40).

Will you join me and today stop caring about the things in life that don’t really matter? Will you ask God to show you who/what He has planned for you to pour your life into? This place of living is where you will be more than enough and experience God’s peace.  

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.