One of my least favorite words to describe myself is the word busy. Literally, my stomach turns whenever I use it. This has not always been the case but it is now. Some take pride or comfort in reporting to others that they are ‘busy’ while all I feel is guilt. There are many reasons why I am like this, but I think the most prominent and important reason (though not always the most prevalent reason) is due to a desire for God’s will to be done. Only with timid reserve could I reflect on how I am investing my time and concur that I’m making the best use of it with regards to God’s Kingdom. I agree that it is good to know our boundaries and responsibilities and follow through on our commitments. However, how can God use a person who has a flashing No Vacancy sign above their head to impact the world for him?
After being in a season of stillness, I am now in a season of business – another reason why the word busy has become recently burdensome. I clearly remember the quiet days during which I felt like everyone but me had somewhere to go and some reason to be. Today, a busy schedule comforts those insecurities. But should it? God loved me then and now. His purpose for me was, is, and will always be present. Just because my life got busier does not mean that it became more prevalent to God that I existed. My encouragement, whatever season you are in, don’t buy into the lie that your significance lies in your schedule or let your schedule dictate what you can or cannot do. The things God wants you to do will be things that you are able to do.
Ready or not, the holiday season is here and with it our life’s schedule will be – as Emeril would say – kicked up a notch. However, this is not an excuse to light up the No Vacancy sign or we will miss out on serving people like Joseph and Mary – you may remember that they were told on the night of our Savior’s birth that life in Bethlehem was too busy to make room for them. I’ve learned that our schedules may fluctuate between stillness and business but God is always the same. And just as God never changes, so does his desire for us to be his hands and feet – in ways that we know and in ways that we don’t know yet.
My encouragement,
give thanks to God for the things occupying your time,
reflect on where you are investing your time,
ask God what could be added or released from your schedule,
be ready for God to unexpectedly – to you, not to Him – rearrange your schedule.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
She gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7
