Stop Performing

We all stumble in many ways.

James 3:2

I’ll never forget a conversation with one of my team leaders years ago that shook me to my core. She revealed that I had been so focused on reaching my goals that I didn’t see destruction in my wake.

My poor team member painted a picture of her experience under my leadership—and it wasn’t pretty. My unrealistic deadlines. Pushing for impossible performance standards. Being more concerned with results than with people. She had put in long hours, tremendous effort, but it was never enough for me. I did not take this news well. In fact, I was defensive and devastated. But thanks to her courageous honesty and some painful digging, God revealed to me that my performance-driven nature was a by-product of my own unmet needs, my own brokenness. I was carrying shame’s baggage into ministry.

For my sake and everyone else’s, it was time to drop that baggage. Only then would my heart be softened so I could embrace others in our mutual lack of perfection and control, and embrace God’s control and love for each one of us.

As you run your race, don’t be too hard on yourself and others. God is at work in you, softening you, teaching you to receive love and to love as He does.

Lord Jesus, please deliver me from perfectionism and a performance mentality. You are perfect, and that is enough.