Are You Busy?

Busy! Busy! Busy! That describes the lifestyle of so many people. We’re busy at work – busy at school – busy at church – busy in the community. And soon we will be busy with all of the holiday events of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Too often our calendars fill up so quickly and leave us feeling exhausted. We over commit ourselves and seem to constantly live “life in the fast lane.” The urgent things crowd out the important things. Even the good things we do are done at a frantic pace. And when the dust finally settles, we often don’t have that sense of satisfaction or peace we desire.

Those of us who are seeking to do the will of God on earth need to remember the example of Jesus Christ during the busiest times of his life. The Gospel of Luke records that many times Jesus was surrounded by crowds of people wanting to hear him and needing his attention. He was extremely busy doing good things for God. “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)

Jesus consistently took time to get away from the busyness of life to pray. He made his personal relationship with God the Father a priority when his life was very fast paced. And it was those times when he was alone with God, rather than the calendar, that set the agenda for his life. As a result, when Christ finally came to the end of his time on earth, he was able to say to his Father in heaven with confidence and joy: “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work that you gave me to do.” (John 17:4)

Are you busy? Are you too busy? If so, do what Jesus did. Withdraw from the crowd or from your crowded lifestyle to find out what God wants you to do. Take time to seek the one who made you, and discern his plan for your life. Spend some early morning time alone reading your Bible. Find a quiet place to pray and write down what God seems to be telling you. Attend your local church services every Sunday to catch your spiritual breath. Put your relationship with Jesus Christ at the top of your priority list. Rediscover the joy and peace that comes when we are busy doing only the will of God.

Remember the personal invitation of Jesus: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Pastor Doug Birky

Evangelical Free Church