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.
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
© 1994 Curious?
Music UK (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
CCLI License #
810055
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