Living as God’s Beloved, Not a Programmed Machine
Apr 30, 2025
Blog by Alan Fadling
One of the most powerful truths we can embrace is this: We are not machines—we are God’s beloved children. Our culture tells us that our worth is measured by our output, but God’s economy is different. His love for us is not transactional. It’s based not on what we accomplish but on who we are.
Love Over Labor
If we see ourselves as machines, we may believe we must earn love through productivity. But Scripture reminds us that God loved us before we did anything for him. We are made to abide in that love, not to strive endlessly for approval. We work from love rather than for love.
When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, he reminded them that while we may plant and water, it is God who makes things grow (1 Cor. 3:5-9). We are invited to participate in God’s work, but we are not ultimately responsible for making things happen. That’s God’s job. And he’s very good at what he does!
Rest as an Act of Trust
Sometimes we’re tempted to treat rest like a luxury. But it isn’t. It is an act of faith. When we step away from work, we acknowledge that the world doesn’t revolve around our efforts. It keeps turning because God sustains it—even when we are resting. Choosing to rest is choosing to trust that God’s provision is enough.
Jesus modeled this rhythm in his own life. He worked, but he also withdrew. He served, but he also rested. If the Son of God saw rest as essential, why do we so often resist it?
A Life of Grace and Growth
What would it look like for you to live as God’s beloved rather than a machine driven by the need to produce? It might mean:
- Beginning your day by remembering you are already loved before doing anything.
- Letting go of the need to measure your worth by what you accomplish.
- Practicing rest not as an afterthought but as a core part of your life.
You are not a machine. You are a deeply loved child of God. When you live from that truth, you experience life as it was meant to be—abundant, free, and deeply rooted in God’s grace.
For Reflection:
- In what ways have you let your worth become tied to your productivity?
- In one practical way, how might resting become an act of trust in God?
- What would change if you truly believed you are already loved?
