Booked not Busy
You are what you prioritize...
I used to think that busyness was something to avoid. While everyone else was running with the idea that we can and should have it all, I was running in the opposite direction. Today, as I reflected on the topic of busyness, I realized that we’re going to be busy whether we choose to be or not.
bus•y
/ˈbizē/engaged in action, occupied
When we look at the definition, being busy means that we’re engaged in an activity. Therefore, busyness isn’t limited to professional work or labor, you can also be busy doing absolutely nothing. (Guilty!) Simply put, the issue wasn’t about being busy, like I previously thought, but what I was busy doing.
No matter who we are or what side of the planet we live on, every living creature is gifted with the same 24 hours a day. The only difference is how we choose to spend our time on earth. So if we’re not busy doing good, we are busy doing the opposite. There is no in-between! 🙅♀️
If there is one person that can teach us a thing or two about being booked and busy—it’s Jesus. He was teaching, serving, performing miracles, and somehow managed to keep Himself alive and functioning. However, despite His busyness, He often made time to go away with His Father to pray.
Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray. - Luke 5:16 BSB
After bidding them farewell, He went up on the mountain to pray. - Mark 6:46 BSB
Jesus provides the perfect template on how to navigate a busy world. So here are a few nuggets that we glean by following His example:
1. Valid busyness is not a valid excuse.
Jesus knew that fulfilling His Father’s will didn’t come at the expense of His time in solitude and prayer. If God wrapped in human flesh prioritized going away, how much more should we recognize the necessity of spending time with our Father?
2. You need the Father more than the world needs you.
There’s an unknown quote that says, “the will of God involves me, but does not revolve around me.” For this reason, it is important [that in all things] we are led by the Holy Spirit and not human need. (Nevertheless, there’s no formula. We are instructed to do good when it’s within our ability to do so.)1
3. Prioritize the greater thing.
Our decisions aren’t always a matter of choosing between good and evil, (if only it were that easy), but between good and even better. A valuable insight I learned from Jackie Hill Perry offers a profound way of deciding between good options—determine which decision would honor God most.
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord replied, “you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:41-42 BSB
Martha was busy being a good host but Mary had chosen what honored God most at that moment. Therefore, Martha wasn’t corrected because she was doing something evil, but because she was so busy that she was missing a divine moment; and if she would have had her way, Mary would have missed it too. Instead, Jesus extended an invitation to Martha that He’s extending to us today.
Are we willing to make room in our busy schedules for the divine moments disguised as mere interruptions? Will we slow down enough to acknowledge those reaching out to us amidst the hustle and bustle of heading to our next destination?2 Will we be so intentional that no matter how booked our calendars are, we’re never too busy…
Selah.
Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act. Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”— when you already have the means. - Proverbs 2:27-28 BSB
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. - Proverbs 4:7 NLT
Who touched Me?” Jesus asked. But they all denied it. “Master,” said Peter, “the people are crowding and pressing against You.” But Jesus declared, “Someone touched Me, for I know that power has gone out from Me.” - Luke 8:45-46 BSB