Busy isn’t Beautiful
We are in a busy season - the holidays are coming and along with work, family, my church and my ministry, I am busier than ever. I wasn’t planning on doing anything about busyness but it seems to be something that people were interested in hearing more about and how we can find rest in this busy world.
Even in busy seasons in this fast paced world, we don’t have to fill every empty spot on the schedule.
Let’s look at what scripture says about busyness and rest…
Matthew 11:28 NLT
Walking this earth is HARD and there is spiritual warfare all around us but GOD GIVES US REST! He will meet us in our struggles and carries this burden for us.
Matthew 6:33 NLT
We need to come to the Lord first, everything else will fall into place. Every month, every week, every morning – seek Him first.
Psalm 103:1-5 NLT
Seek God First!
When you search God first, with your whole heart, you won’t forget the good that He has done.
You know what it feels like when you get that spirt filled feeling! He fills us up! It is a renewal.
Interact with the Lord
If we are that busy, we are not interacting with the Lord and we are not seeking Him first. We think we can carry our burdens, we can do it better.
I fail at this too and I am regretful that it isn’t the first thing I do in the morning. I will turn on worship music but I find myself so busy that I am not putting Him first.
We are busy for things that are good and matter but it makes us miss the most important things that we should make a priority. For example, my Photography is something I love and it is important but I don’t want to put that ahead of my kids and not make them a priority.
Story of Mary and Martha
I loved reading the book Having a Mary heart in a Martha World. It is literally falling apart, I highly recommend reading it if you haven’t.
Luke 10:38-42 NLT
Mary sat at his feet while Martha was too worried about dinner to spend any time with Jesus. She rebuked her sister and the Lord said, No, she is doing what she should do by being at my feet.
Does that mean we neglect our chores? No, however we shouldn’t ignore guests to wash the dishes and clean the kitchen. How does that affect your guests? They would feel unimportant if you spent all your time in the kitchen and not spending time with them. You miss out on an opportunity to spend time with your family or friends and that is time you won’t get back.
If you know me, you know I am ALL about a to do list! I have a planner, more than one calendar, outlines, agendas…. but I don’t want to miss divine appointments with the Lord because I am too busy planning my life out!
We need rest!
Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. I want to sit at His feet! However, I find myself being more like Martha. Interact with my family when they are around me.
You need to know REST! When your kids are at school, naps, bed time – get off social media and read your bible and pray. Take time to journal while your kids are taking a nap, it doesn’t have to be 30 minutes, start with 5 minutes!
Establish a Sabbath – Annie F Downs
Dos and Don’ts
Don’t fill up your day
Do things that fill you up!
Maybe you can’t do a full day, that’s ok! Start with half a day or an evening.
The goal is Rest, connection and goodness!
