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Oct 17, 2024 18:00pm

What Now?: Busyness

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The following comes from the devotional book “What Now?” by Ashley Akers. To learn more, go to www.whatnowdevo.com.

Busyness

I love to be busy, plain and simple. Some reading this may agree and say “me too” while others may think, “I don’t like being busy; it stresses me out!” Honestly, being busy gave me a sense of accomplishment and purpose. Every morning I used to look at my schedule and knew it was going to be a good day if I didn’t have 10 minutes to spare. My packed calendar left me with a feeling that I could conquer the world. The busier I was, the more purpose I felt.

During this season I was working full-time and had lots of evening activities. It seemed like my family was always running and I felt good about handling it all. But God had other plans. I didn’t understand until I slowed down long enough to listen—by needing to have surgery. Who has time for that?! Two weeks off work seemed like torture, but God began to change my heart while I was still. He had my attention and told me to quit my job. What? I loved my job.

After months of prayer and thoughtful conversations with my husband, I put in my notice. Although I ended up working in ministry, I still went back to my normal habit of filling my calendar. Not having a full-time job gave me freedom to do what I wanted including ministry, carpentry and other passions. The problem: I was still filling my days. Sometimes I even used my busyness as an excuse to be disobedient. What God wanted from me meant I would have to be still. Well, guess what? I injured my shoulder, stopping me from doing the things I wanted to do (shocker, right?) and God slowed me down yet again.

Paul says in Ephesians 5:15-17,

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Distractions are everywhere. Our grass needs cut, our cars washed, houses need cleaned, kids need to go to practice, gadgets need purchased, personal goals need to be met and our text messages need answered! We spend countless hours on social media, gaming, internet browsing, emailing and gossiping and our days are stolen. For what? Maybe temporary happiness or fulfillment, but distractions are ultimately missed opportunities. By staying busy, we miss out on all God has to offer us and we are detoured away from our true purpose in life—to serve God.

Matthew 6:33 says,

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

God will bless you if you seek Him first! Ask Him what He wants you to do, when and how. What would happen if you were to allow God to take control of your schedule and you were obedient, whatever that looks like? This is only possible through prayer and reading the Word, so you can know what His desire is. Scripture tells us that God’s voice is like a gentle whisper. To hear a whisper, you must be close. So, if you are too busy to stay still long enough to listen, you won’t hear Him. You must draw near to God to hear and He promises to draw near to you.

My best “God moments” (times when He blew me away) were experienced when I was still, not busy. When people are on their death bed, they never wish that they had spent more time on their phone or wished their house was cleaner. They wish they had been closer to God and had made time for the eternal things that really matter. We don’t realize how short our time here on earth is. Things I thought were important were just distractions. God has a plan and a purpose for you and living for Him is much more rewarding than anything this world has to offer.

Reflection Questions

1. What things fill your day? God, work, kids, phone, school, etc.? Prioritize them.

2. If you knew you were dying tomorrow what would you do differently?