Daily Devotionals

The Burden of Busyness

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“Be still and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations. I am exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.” Psalm 46: 10-11

 

Sometimes I feel like our house is a glorified dressing room. Too often home does not serve as a haven of respite but as a place to stash the gear so we can be ready for a “quick change” before sprinting off to the next thing.

 

I long to linger over my coffee and a devotion in the morning, sink into a comfortable chair after a long day of work for a moment of rest, or wake up on a Saturday morning with the day stretching before me like a blank canvas. But those things don’t happen without specific intent. Sometimes even when I set my alarm early on a weekday morning to spend time with the Lord, the urge to check email, run a load of laundry, or sort through a stack of mail seeps into my quiet time. And I can’t remember the last Saturday that wasn’t packed with errands, ball games, social events, kids’ birthday parties — the list goes on and on. Change clothes, pack the purse, back out of the driveway. Do the thing. Wheel into the driveway, jump out… on and on.

 

Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful for family, work, activities, and friends that make my life full, but sometimes I think our society’s obsession with busyness is somewhat of an addiction — myself included. Working more. Shopping more. Acquiring more. So that we can add more activities to the plate. The carrot is dangling just out of reach. You think it will be satisfying, but perhaps it’s not. Where is the line between having a strong work ethic and overworking? Where is the line where good, healthy activities and hobbies become more important than they should?

 

Maybe that’s why my favorite day of the week has always been Sunday. Sundays come with a heavenly permission slip of sorts that allows us to slow down or even step off the crazy train that many of us board on Monday mornings and ride all week long. It’s acceptable not to have a full plate on Sundays. When we are too busy, we neglect to seek God in prayer, and spending time with God every day – not just on Sunday – is the only way to set your compass to what truly matters most.

Dear Lord, Please help me to discern good work and healthy play from detrimental busyness. Please help to me to be intentional about rest and catch myself when I begin to over schedule myself and my family. Help me carve out time for you every day so that your presence will be with me as I make decisions about how to invest my time. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Submitted by Kelly Barbrey