Let’s consider our busyness with an eye on our theology. We begin our quest with God. How does knowing the attributes of God affect our busyness? How do we, in our busyness, try to be God?
Our God
- Busyness shouts at me, “Tim, you are limited! You have the limits of time, energy, and ability.” Consider with me, God has no limits. (God is, everywhere present, all-powerful, without limits of any sort)
- God has never known busyness or the frustration of desperately trying to get things done at the end of the day. He does what He does, at the very moment He wants something done, and… it’s done.
- God finishes everything He begins and He does so exactly when He determined. (But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5)
- Deadlines are not an issue for God – Never have been, never will be!
- God requires no sleep to in some way get recharged to then tackle the next day.
- God does not get tired.
More could be said, but you get the idea. We serve a limitless God who knows nothing of the constraints that we are so familiar with regarding time and busyness.
We are NOT God! Sounds simple enough, doesn’t it? And yet, it is amazing how we slide into trying to be God or thinking that we are God. Here are a few examples.
- When we push aside our God-given limits, we are attempting to be God who knows no limits. Example: Sometimes I schedule beyond the limits that time allows or beyond what my body can handle. This body is not like God’s unlimited resources, it requires sleep! Everyday…. without fail! Work longer, sleep less and pretend there are no limits.
- When we become anxious or frustrated about what isn’t getting done, we think we are a better Sovereign God. When we rant about the flat tire, traffic, or the slow service at the fast food restaurant, we do so because we don’t like being late or we are exhausted with our busy lives. And, in that rant we forget that God is a better sovereign, in control of it all for our growth in Him.
- We seem to uphold 9 commandments and kick one of them to the curb. Which one is it? Ah yes, something about the Sabbath. (Side note: Have you considered why something like a Sabbath rest makes the list alongside the other nine?)
- Technology helps, and yet, sometimes it isn’t helpful. No question about it, technology helps us get more things done but at the same time, it also demands we do more. We are the rat on the wheel. Running hard while going nowhere. While we are getting more done, we expect and demand of ourselves to get even more done.
- Technology is also a major distraction that keeps us from getting more done. Being honest about this distraction is the first step to dealing with it.
Maybe you are ok with all the above. But for me, I see the busyness as a trap to distract from things that matter most.
- God. It requires time to be in the Word and prayer. Seeking to grow in our relationship with the Lord is best done slowly. In other words, running out the door in the morning for the next meeting while praying is not going to produce the kind of growth you desire. While that might be necessary at times, the Christian who lives there will wake up one day aware of the relational distance. Be careful, busyness can mask where we are at with the Lord.
- Family. Busyness can easily crush the family. One compromise after another, setting the family to the side to pursue yet another thing (work, entertainment, device) will one day catch up to us.
- God’s Community. Building relationships with the community of believers you are a part of is vital to the Christian life, but busyness puts these relational gifts from God on the back burner of life. We live with good intentions that remain distant desires that never materialize. I bet you started 2018 thinking, “this year we will be more intentional and have people over.” How is that going? We are almost halfway through the year. Are you doing it? Why or why not? What practical changes can you make?
If you haven’t yet, please read: Busy, its been crazy busy
Good!