Busyness for Busyness Sake

When we are too busy in life, we miss the important things. It is best to do one thing and do it well, than to run around frantically doing many useless things. We should never allow the expectations of others to dictate our activities. When we have prayed and sought God, we ought to be able to discern those things God wants us to do from those things that He did not call us to do.

Sometimes people like to be very busy to be able to brag to others about their busyness. Sadly, many people wear themselves out for no real good reason, except for appearances.

How many times have we asked someone how they were doing and the first thing out of their mouth was, "I've been really busy", as though it were a badge of honor or desirable thing.

When we are doing what God has called us to do, we will not burn out, we will not be discouraged, we will be plodding along unharried, peaceful and rested.

Of course there will be those times where we are very busy, when something important must be done on a time schedule, perhaps moving a household, or a new job, but often our busyness is nothing more than make work, unnecessary things to make ourselves feel useful or as we think to keep our children out of trouble.

Psalm 46:10 "10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Romans 12:2 "2 Do not be conformed to this world,3 but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Luke 10:38-42 "38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.
40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”
41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,
42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

In our modern day we don't seem to be satisfied with quiet peaceful living, there must be much activity, mostly based on pleasure with the excuse that it is good to be busy. Yes, it is good to get your work done, but it is not good to keep moving and working all the time, unless it is an emergency and necessary activity.

Playing has become such a normal part of life for young people today, so much so, that work is drudgery to them instead of joy of accomplishment.

Colossians 3:23 "23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,"

Ephesians 4:28 "28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need."

Psalm 127:1-2 "1 Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. 2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves. "

Working is good and right in the sight of God, but busyness for busyness sake is foolishness.

May the Lord deliver us from "busyness", that we might learn to relax to be able to ponder the truths of God, His creation and His glory.

When we fill our lives with so much that we have little time for the Lord, then we are too busy!