So many books. So little time.
My books were starting to accumulate in little stacks on my office floor. It was time to send some of them to another home.
(Ooftah. It’s like saying good-bye to friends. Who wants to do that?)
But something refreshing happened as I forced myself to evaluate which books would garner space on my bookshelves and continue to bring me joy, expand my thinking, or make me laugh.
I started to feel lighter.
As I looked at my “So sorry, you need to be enjoyed by a new reader now” pile, a theme appeared. Many of the books I was choosing to give up focused on doing. These were great books that enriched my mind. They taught me something valuable. Many of them provided a model, tips, steps, or action plan for doing something—being a better employee, building a business, thinking smarter, managing time more wisely, etc.
Here was the nugget for me…
Each time I placed one of those books in the “So sorry” paper bag, I was reminded that God has called me to be. AND He has promised to show me HOW to be the person He has called me to be. By letting go of one type of resource (books), I was creating more space for another resource (God’s voice).
That’s really cool.
There was nothing wrong with these books. They influenced my life at the time I needed them. They brought great enjoyment. I am a smarter person because I read them. And it was time to let them go. (I know. It sounds a bit dramatic, doesn’t it? But I love my books!)
We go through different seasons in life. Right now, I especially need to relax in the Freedom of being, rather than doing. I want to spend more time listening to God’s heart, hearing what He has to say about my life, my business, my relationships, and how I spend my days. Rather than picking up a best-selling book to figure out how to address my impatience (just an example!), I’m going to connect with the Author of my Life. He’ll know what I should do.
There will always be a whole lot of books on my shelves. They will always be a favorite resource and traveling companion. And chances are, they will start to stack up on my floor again.
And…I am enjoying the Freedom that comes from being.
When I “be” the person God has called me to be, I will do the right things.
“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior; and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5)
