Recently I was in a webinar for work. You know the kind – a motivational event jam-packed with energy, ambition, and phrases like, “If you want success, follow these 5 steps,” and “You can be a millionaire if you tell yourself you already are one.”

Throughout the workshop, I was nodding along to some ideas, like discipline and mindset, but something in my spirit whispered, “This isn’t it.”

It’s easy to understand why these motivational workshops appeal to people. They’re filled with promises of success, money, status – making us believe that we are the solution to all our problems. And I’ve fallen for this rhetoric many times. I used to tell myself, “If I work hard enough, I’ll be enough”, and “Once I achieve this, I’ll know I made it.” Funnily enough, no matter how many plans I followed or mantras I repeated, something still felt hollow within me.

While they were teaching, “Change your mindset, change your life”, my soul was saying, “No, follow Jesus. He is what changes you.” My discernment was screaming – idolatry. We want to feel like our own saviors. We want to give ourselves the credit for achieving success.

Consider the world’s formula for success versus God’s invitation:

“Strive harder” vs. “Abide in Me” (John 15:4)

In no way am I discrediting people who have worked hard for their accomplishments. My hat goes off to those who have built something out of nothing – because hard work and dedication is honorable. Discipline and a positive mindset are essential to being functional humans.

After years of trying to figure what I want to do, where I belonged, and how I could leave my mark on this world, I discovered – you don’t have to hustle for your worth. You don’t have to climb the ladder, because Jesus already stepped down. And you’re not called to build your kingdom, but instead work for His. The world wants me to hustle for a throne. I’m choosing to kneel at one instead.

If you’re burnt out over trying to earn your value in this world, you’re not alone. There is nothing wrong with goals, growth, and discipline – but you were never meant to carry the pressure of “being enough.”

In part two, I want to talk about why you don’t have to clean yourself up to come to Jesus. You can come as you are.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2 (ESV)