Before you begin…
Let’s establish something before you begin: doing nothing is hard. The next 30 days will not be marked by tasks that come naturally, especially to doers. Doing something—anything—is the more commonplace, natural act humans consistently take upon themselves. But by doing so, Christians are missing so much in their Christian walks. We prefer busy over being, doing over our undoing, and running over walking.
That’s exactly why the Bible encourages believers to “Strive to enter that rest” (Hebrews 4:11). Work and rest are not ideas often found paired together, but this is the best description possible about what you have signed up for (or still can) this month. In other words, come prepared to work at not working. That may not make complete sense right away—or if you haven’t read the book that this course is based upon—but don’t worry. It will come into focus soon enough.
The daily devotionals you receive during your doing detox will be short, practical, and intended to require no more than a few minutes of your attention every day. Each of them will include four key components. First, there will be a Bible verse. Then, there will be a brief meditation on that verse. Third, there will be a question for you to reflect upon personally. Finally, there will be an action you are encouraged to take, be it stillness, prayer, contemplation, connection with others, or something else entirely. This last piece is not recommended to be ignored, but at the same time, each encouragement should not be viewed as a demanding mandate or difficult responsibility you “must” do to experience what Jesus wants for you, either. Take it or leave it as you feel led.
The only thing that will be asked of you throughout these next few weeks is that you deal earnestly with God about what He wants you to start doing, continue doing, and stop doing. Sometimes, to hear Him clearly, you need to shut everything else off, slow down, and rest for a change. As impossible as that may seem to you now, you can trust that the Holy Spirit will help you every step of the way. That’s His job, not yours.
If all this sounds reasonable enough to you, that’s as good a place to start as any. There is no need to complicate such things, just as there is no need to complicate your walk of faith any longer. Tomorrow, you will continue along the path to doing nothing apart from Jesus. And that’s something.
Excerpt*
Counting myself among such ranks, I commit this book to the doers, the workers, the hustlers, the strivers, the builders, the earners, the starters, the producers, and the achievers. As well intentioned as we each may have felt in our hard work and effort, let us look with spiritual eyes upon the output of our hands to see what will stand everlasting. “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it” (Psalm 127:1). I always used to recite that Psalm, I just rarely applied it to my daily life. Maybe I understand it a little better now. Maybe.
*From the book, Do Nothing, if you haven’t read it yet.
Action
Make sure you received the first email for this 30-day detox, entitled “Please confirm you want to do nothing” and follow the instructions inside. If the email not there, check your spam folder. It should have come from love@jonathancottrell.com.
Reflection
How will you work these 5 minutes into your daily life over the next month?
Looking for another day of detox for doers? Access all 30-days of content.