I untie my hair bun at the end of a long work day, turn my head side to side and feel the weight of my hair toss freely. I close my eyes and open my hands toward heaven. No striving. No perfection. Just me and the Father. Worship moments like these remind me that I am liberated from the hamster wheel of performance we experience within culture. We all can be free from the performance trap and if you’re not, please keep reading.
I was inspired by my writing community’s topic today, perform. Immediately I thought about how tiring it is to try to keep up with the performance driven culture that we live in. Think about all the areas in our lives where we have to evaluate and achieve results. It’s in finances, health, work, sport, education, even relationships in some instances (Coombs, 2019). It’s exhausting!
There is one area that does not require our performance. In fact, Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” In Christianity, God has done it all! There is no striving or competition! Even when we receive God’s love, the performance trap still tries to entangle us. The Apostle Paul said this, “Are you foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” (Galatians 3:3).
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
Free from the Performance Trap
Do you feel exhausted from spinning the wheel of performance in the culture that we live in? There is good news. You can be free from the performance trap. The beautiful thing about Christianity is that Jesus already performed the work. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” It is my prayer that you accept Jesus into your life and find rest and freedom from performance. Say this prayer with me:
Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I cannot perform to earn Your love or work my way to Heaven. By faith I gratefully receive your gift of salvation. I am ready to trust you as my Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for coming to earth. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for bearing my sins and giving me the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and be my Savior. Amen.
The Sinner’s Prayer (Crosswalk)
Hi Nicci! This is my first time posting for Five Minute Friday and yours was the post ahead of mine. And I’m glad it was!
I love the imagery of your worship moment! That feeling of being free and knowing that God has done all the work, He has won, and we are free from the trap, is an amazing one! Thanks for the reminder!
Hi Heather! Thanks for reading the post and welcome to the Five Minute Friday community!
I don’t perform for anyone,
it’s a habit I cannot afford,
except when I am having fun
and dance, like David, for the Lord.
Now, know I do not shed my clothes
(my wife would take a broom to me),
but I twirl as my spirit goes
and set my disco angel free.
Some neighbours smile and shake their heads,
and some will toe-tap to my song,
some think that my mind has fled,
some jump the fence and dance along,
not caring that they play the fool,
not worrying ’bout ridicule.
Amen! I’m so glad we don’t have to perform for God. He just wants us to be willing–he doesn’t judge our performance. I’m so glad I stopped by for your encouragement (visiting from FMF).
Amen. Thank you for stopping by!
This is beautiful, Nicci. Thank you. Amen and Amen! #10
Thank you, Dawn!