OVERCOMING THE PRESSURE TO PERFORM

It is often difficult to avoid the pressure to perform in our personal, professional, and spiritual life. We are all guilty of it at the end of the day. But you are more than what you are able to offer others and have been loved despite your imperfections since the beginning of time.

Almost exactly two years ago, my family took an incredible vacation to visit my hometown of Arizona (pre-pandemic of course). Of all the beautiful landscapes to see, we made sure our first stop was the majestic Grand Canyon.

Despite our best efforts, we arrived just after evening and were only able to see a small glimpse of the canyon as the sun set on the horizon. Although it was beautiful, it was difficult to see any definition in the rock with the shadows and cloud cover so we decided to return as early as possible the next morning.

But the next day, I felt utterly unprepared for just how breathtaking my view would be. Each stripe of blue, pink, orange, red, and purple clay represented every cycle of pressure, pruning and growth that this land had to endure. Looking out among the never-ending colorfully etched rocks, I felt so close to the Lord. The thought that the same God that created this landscape out of nothing also created me was almost too overwhelming to bear.

It’s Not How You Start. It’s How You Finish.

Looking through my old photos and memories in my camera roll this week, I got to thinking… I’m sure the beginning stages of what is now known as the Grand Canyon was not always a pretty sight to see. In fact, it was probably a muddy mess and even considered an eyesore to the initial inhabitants around the land. Even though it was formed almost six million years ago, it was only established as a national park and reserve one century ago!

Often, it seems like I’ve found myself in quite a muddy mess in my life too. The pressure to perform that I often place on myself is exhausting, crippling, and just plain unproductive. Even more so, it can suck the joy and happiness out of the everyday blessings I am gifted throughout the day. But in focusing on all of the steps I have yet to accomplish, I know I have already failed to see how far I’ve already come.

If this sounds like you, you’re probably wondering how God is planning to turn your messy situation into something beautiful as well. But it’s not really a matter of if, but when with God – the truth is that He doesn’t have to wonder anything! God doesn’t want a calculated performance from us, He wants our raw heart.

Look Out for the Performance Trap

But trust me, I know that things are often ‘easier said than done.’ With so many things in this world being centered around competition rather than compassion, it is difficult not to view God in the same way.

Almost every day, I battle the idea that God will love me more if I read my bible, go to church, or join a bible study and will hide His face from me if I don’t. Or in the same way, that I’ll be liked more by people if I wear the right clothes, go to the best school, or act like I don’t care even when really I do.

But this thought process is so far from the true gospel that Jesus came to proclaim. Striving to achieve a certain level of perfection and performance in our faith walk with the Lord is like trying to drive to the edge of the Earth. It’s not possible! Ultimately, we are living our life for an audience of One. And that’s the only opinion that matters or holds any weight in the end.

The performance trap offers such false hope that if we achieve this unattainable level of perfection, we will be happy, satisfied, fulfilled, and have more joy. But as you probably know just as much as I do, that is never actually the case. Accepting the fact that we have never been close to perfect in God’s eyes and yet He loves us anyway is what brings the greatest hope through the toughest seasons of life.

Leave Space for Grace

Ultimately, it is in our greatest weakness that God’s strength can be fully displayed. Succumbing to the pressure to perform in various areas of our life only attempts to take the power away from God and give the control back to us. If we could do everything on our own, there would be no need for faith right?

This doesn’t mean to stop trying altogether and only give half your effort because perfection is not an option. The bible reminds us to “Work with all your heart, for it is the Lord you are serving.” With that in mind, we should always work valiantly in all that we put our hearts and minds to knowing that we have grace to support us when we fall short.

Just because we’re not able to accomplish something independently has nothing to do with God’s ability to do a miraculous work in our lives. We are not one and the same with God and He exists so far outside our own human comprehension and understanding. In all things, God is eager for His glory to be magnified. Isn’t it crazy that He chooses us as His vessels to do it?!

Don’t Let the Pressure Destroy You. Let It Define You.

As I look back to my experience at the Grand Canyon and reflect on my life right now, I am reminded of all the pressures and pitfalls that have shaped me into the person that I am today. There have been days, years, and seasons where the heaviness of this world and the pressure to perform have eroded my faith and questioned my purpose.

But we have to stand firm and believe that the pressures and challenges we have encountered and overcome were not intended to destroy us. But rather, to define us.

And for us as humans, there is nothing quite as powerful as our personal story and testimony. Overcoming the pressure to perform in our daily walk has only strengthened our ability to speak up and stand for all of those who are hurting, broken, and lost.

Like the red rocks in Arizona, I like to believe that we’re all made of a rainbow of different colors of clay. Some blue, orange, pink, purple, red, and browns thrown in there. Each color representing the time of pressure and growth that the Lord has used to strengthen our faith and journey with Him.

I hope today you find peace in this: Just like a potter has the ability to mold their piece of clay into anything they desire, God is using this time in your life to shape you into something even more beautiful than before. Hold tight and keep pressing on. It’s not easy but it will be so, so worth it!