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!

Isn't It Interesting!

Isn't it interesting that it isn't the other way around. Good company does not make bad people better, until the bad people become born again, then they will want to follow Christ. Bad people can pretend for a while, until they become weary of the work of pretense, then they will revert back to their real self.

"Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."
1 Corinthians 15:33

Our Soul Cringes

Our souls cringe at the presence of those who are evil, and their's cringes in the presence of righteousness, the two cannot mix.

2 Corinthians 6:14 "14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? "

Disloyalty to Christ

To enjoy the company of wicked people is to be disloyal to Christ. It is far different witnessing the gospel to the unsaved, than it is to be close companions with them. The only time we should become companions to those who were lost, is if they became born again, then they are brothers and sisters in Christ. Anyone who does not want Christ, we must remove ourselves from them, unless they are a spouse, then we must remain.

We can pray for the lost, treat them decently when we run across them, but they can not be our close companions.

2 Corinthians 6:16-18 "…16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” 17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”…"

Evidence of Salvation

Evidence of salvation is not works but character qualities of Christ.

Galatians 5:22-23
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Those that lives a lifestyle of negativity, anger and bitterness cannot be born again, their fruit is bad.

However, those who live in joy and hope in Christ will demonstrate an attitude of loving kindness as described in Galatians. This fruit will be present all the time, not used as manipulation to fool people, but as a lifestyle, effortlessly enjoying the fruit, because it is Christ Who is the One Who works in us.

When Christ is working in us, then the fruit will be real. If the devil works the illusion of these things, the fruit will not last and will have wicked motives of control and manipulation.

Praise the Lord, that submitting to Him, brings the greatest joy and peace of the soul.