"How are you doing?"It seems like one of the most common answers to that question is: busy. Busyness seems to be a paralyzing illness in our society, and especially in the church.
A few years ago Tim Chester (whose book You Can Change I have recommended many times on this blog) wrote a book called The Busy Christian's Guide to Busyness.
In it, he says that one of the important ways to deal with our busyness is to identify the desires of our hearts that make us try to do more than God expects of us. Here are some examples, along with the accompanying truths of God that can liberate us from the tyrannies of our sinful desires:
- I’m busy busy because I need to prove myself-The liberating rest of God
- I’m busy because of other people’s expectations-The liberating fear of God
- I’m busy because otherwise things get out of control-The liberating rule of God
- I’m busy because I prefer being under pressure-The liberating refuge of God
- I’m busy because I need the money-The liberating joy of God
- I’m busy because I want to make the most of my life-The liberating hope of God
Larry:
ReplyDeleteI think I've thrown this quote your way before.
This is not exact, and it's not original to me, but I think it carries wisdom: "If Satan can't make you bad, he'll make you busy."
Not theologically profound, but truth there nonetheless.
Thanks for the thoughts, and the book recommendation.
I'd read it, but...I'm just too busy....
Jim