I tend to be very driven. I push. When the circumstances need it, I drive things forward with every fiber of my being until it comes to pass.

But it’s a gift that bites back. It’s a gift that turns into a curse if not under the reigns of Jesus.

A couple weeks back I was speaking at an event in Nashville. The team that brought me out, put me up in an amazing hotel. Like, fancy. Too fancy for a guy born in the dusty western town of Tucson—you know, guns, tumble weeds and saloons…I actually grew up down the street from a saloon… anyway…

I was speaking at night, so when I woke up that day I had all day to myself. So I got some coffee and started reading. As I sat in this beautiful, peaceful space in downtown Nashville, my type-A, driven, personality rudely invaded my quiet time. I started thinking of the people I should meet with. I mean, I’m here all day and Nashville is filled with people I “should” meet with. Right?

So, like a good Christian, I paused and asked. “Lord, who should I meet with today?”

The answer was swift. It was like a splash of cold water to my face. God replied with one poignant word.

Me.

In 1 Corinthians Paul calls us a “co–laborer” with Christ. We work with God. What a concept!

We are called to work. We’re called to work hard. I come across many people with a—how should I put it—stunted work ethic. The expectation that very little work is required in the kingdom. This is not the case. And it drives me crazy.

But.. 

There is a proper cadence to work. There is a life-giving, commission-fulfilling nature to being a co-laborer with Christ. Jesus said that his “yoke” is easy. A yoke is literally a wooden beam that connects two working animals. It keeps their pace in-step with one another. We are connected to Jesus in that way. Connected to his rhythms. Connected to his broad shoulders that carry the weight. His burden on you, is light.

And for the driven, work-a-holics out there, this is incredibly good news.

Jesus called it the “good portion.”

A woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

—Luke 10:38-42

You see the problem with Mary was not that she was working. The problem was that she was letting the work dominate her. She was distracted. Anxious. She was mad at the world for not working as hard as she was. Her work didn’t allow her a single moment to sit at the feet of Jesus.

Let it not be so with us family! Let Jesus take the weight. Let the work be filled with grace and health. Don’t let the harsh, never-satisfied idol of achievement rob you of the good portion today.