The snare of being busy

It was my day off. The lawn was mowed, household chores complete, car maintenance finished, and I was growing anxious.  I paced, flipped through a book, looked at magazine. Then, I realized I was suffering from withdrawal symptoms. From what? Being busy!  I, like so many Americans, am an activity addict. Busy is a favorite description for life for millions of us. But, why?  Usually it isn’t because we are working in the fields from daybreak to dark. We fill our lives with activities – work, of course;  and then we throw in gym work-outs, taking our kids to sports and clubs, commitments to various organizations – and soon we are running like the proverbial chicken with his head cut off! When that occasional unscheduled day appears, we might say we want to slow down, but few of us do. Instead, we run off to find ‘something to do’ or we turn on the TV or we surf the ‘net.  

Why all this frenetic activity?

For some being busy is a way to say to themselves and their world – “I matter.”  These ‘do-ers’ define their worth by accomplishment and must constantly be adding to the list.  They are great workers and volunteers. Bosses promote them. Pastors praise them. Why? Because they get the job done, on time and well.  What’s wrong with that? Nothing at all if it isn’t a means of proving worth.  The joy of a job well-done is not to be dismissed. There is great reward in diligence, but we are persons of worth before we ever work a day in our lives.

For others being busy is an escape from themselves.  Constant activity can smother the voice that insists that there must be more to life than this, or the ache of longing for real love, the reminder of conscience, or the fear of future.  But, it’s like taking aspirin for cancer. It will hide the pain for a while, but eventually activity stops and we have to face ourselves. What then?  The real tragedy is the person who comes to advanced years when he can no longer ‘keep busy.’  His malnourished soul becomes evident in his misery, his inability to live at peace with himself.

For still others, being busy is a way to exert control. With almost comic frantic activity, they try desperately to be their own god. But, the Word starkly reminds, "Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is useless. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones." (Psalm 127:1-2, NLT)

True spiritual depth, the most profound worship, the greatest appreciation for our Savior demands the disciplines of quietness and meditation.  Through the prophet of Isaiah, the Lord calls to us, “Come, let us reason together.”  Let’s sit down and talk this through, He says.  One of the core practices of the Old Testament saints was the Sabbath. Strict prohibitions enforced a day to cease activities, to renew the realization that God rules. When the Jews failed to observe the Sabbath, God enforced ‘rest’ with judgment!  While most Christians do not practice the Sabbath, the principle of finding one day in seven to rest, to worship, needs to remain a powerful guide for us.

Are you tired, weary, an activity addict?  Consider these words to the People of the Lord.

"The Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says, “Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. You said, ‘No, we will get our help from Egypt. They will give us swift horses for riding into battle.’ But the only swiftness you are going to see is the swiftness of your enemies chasing you!" (Isaiah 30:15-16, NLT)

"Then Jesus said, “Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest.” There were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat." (Mark 6:31, NLT)

________

Oh Lead Me

Oh lead me,
to the place where I can find You.

Oh lead me,

to the place where You'll be.

Lead me to the Cross

Where we first met;

Draw me to my knees

So we can talk.

Let me feel Your breath,

Let me know

You're here with me.

Martin Smith

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