How often does someone ask you how you’re doing, and the reply is, “I’m good, just really busy”? I have recently started being more intentional with my responses to people, especially when they lead off with “How are you?” This has left me pondering an even deeper topic that begs for an even harder question to be asked.
Am I too busy? The answer to that question is almost always… YES. I think a better question would be, “What am I busy with?” Do I fill my days with God-honoring, Kingdom building work, or do I fill it with meaningless tasks?
This seems to be an ongoing process for me. If I’m not careful, I can easily slip back into my old ways of people-pleasing. I will say yes to someone out of obligation or guilt. I can always tell when I’ve done this because there is a sense of dread leading up to it. Please don’t get me wrong, there are days when I have some very meaningful conversations with people. Days when I am very productive and get a lot of important work done. However, what I’m always asking myself is how much of that time was spent listening for the voice of God? How much of that time was spent using the gifts God has given me to fulfill His plan and purpose?
Recently our staff read a book called The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer. Included is one of the best quotes by Corrie Ten Boom.
“If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy. There’s truth in that. Both sin and busyness have the exact same effect—they cut off your connection to God, to other people, and even to your own soul.”
Another quote from the book reads.:
“If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus.”
Jesus, the most important man in the history of the world, certainly had enough to fill His days, yet I would never describe Him as “busy.” He masterfully eliminated the distractions and was able to focus on what truly mattered.
If I’m just really honest, I would say there are a lot of days that I have been busy and distracted, serving more of my own needs than I care to admit. The good news is I believe there is hope for me and for you!
Deborah is one of my favorite women in scripture. She was a very busy woman.
Judges 4:5 says,
“She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her to have their disputes decided.”
Judges 5:7 says,
“Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel.”
Deborah was also a woman of great wisdom, revelation, and discernment. She had a prophetic gift, including knowing the times and seasons of the Lord. She clearly heard the voice of God.
Yet Judges 5:12 says,
“Wake up, wake up, Deborah! Wake up, wake up, break out in song! Arise, Barak! Take captive your captives, son of Abinoam.”
Deborah and Barak needed to “wake up and arise” to a new revelation and dimension of their callings. The Lord was telling them to be alert and pay attention as he was about to move in an extraordinary way.
So you’re telling me that even Deborah, a woman full of wisdom finely in tune to the voice of God, needed a reminder from God to “Pay attention and be alert”? I don’t know about you, but I find great comfort and hope in that. This reminds me that even if I get distracted or complacent, God is faithful. He is constant, and He wants what is best for me…
He is so gracious to gently remind me to be alert and mindful of what He has called me to do. He reminds me that I don’t have to answer NO to every request but to pray diligently and to be watchful for the times He has specifically ordained. Times that will honor Him, deepen my relationship with Him, and serve others.
The Lord prepared Deborah in the secret place of her worship, which helped her grow in confidence in hearing God’s voice. Her intentional connection to God through worship gave her confidence as she discerned the time to go to war. The Lord will do the same with us. As we go deeper in our relationship with God, He will guide us to clarity around our call for this season of kingdom work. God can use many ways to confirm it to us over and over.
My prayer is that you would eliminate the clutter. Do BUSY less, and do MORE of what really matters.
Lynn Fulwider
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#lynnfulwiderblogs
