People today are “so busy.” In face people are “so busy” as to the neglect of personal health, family relationships, and even worse to the neglect of fellowship with God. When I have inquired about busyness from people who complain about being “so busy,” I get answers that include feelings of guilt and shame if they were to try to cut back on their busyness. Doesn’t that imply that something is wrong about carrying such a heavy burden, that when you try to lighten the load you feel guilt and shame? What’s behind it and how can we come out from under such a heavy burden?
Although I am sure there are other reasons behind busyness, I want to focus on the top three that I observe, namely: a failure to prioritize, an unrealistic attempt at perfection, and a misguided view of righteousness.
It sounds so simple that when a person is overwhelmed with all the busyness in life that there should be an alarm that you need to stop and prioritize. It’s a harsh reality to come to terms that you cannot do everything, especially live up to the expectations of others. Sometimes you need a good jolt from God’s word like Martha received from the Lord Jesus Christ to stop and realize your focus should be on the most important things.
Luke 10:38–42 (ESV) — 38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Notice please that Jesus did not criticize her for her servant’s heart. Her activities were commendable but her focus on the activity became a misplaced priority in that she became bitter toward her sister for not doing the same. Jesus simply pointed out the most important focus of the moment was to be with and learn from Him.
It floors me that busyness seems to grab time from focused time with God. When I ask about a daily prayer life or even a daily time with God in His word, too often I am told, “I don’t have the time. I’m just too busy.” It’s really a matter of priority because all of us will find a way to do what we have prioritized as important.
The second reason for ultimate busyness is an attempt to be perfect, which by the way always leads to a sense of disappointment. Only God is perfect.
Deuteronomy 32:3–4 (ESV) — 3 For I will proclaim the name of the Lord; ascribe greatness to our God! 4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
We on the other hand are called upon to strive to be like Him, depending upon His grace and power through the working of His Holy Spirit, knowing that our acceptance is found in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Colossians 2:9–10 (KJV) — 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
So rather than striving to achieve perfection, we are to offer to God our excellence, which is our very best.
Mark 12:29–30 (ESV) — 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Granted, our best is far from perfect but because we are accepted in the Lord Jesus Christ, we can avoid the guilt and shame of a performance-based acceptance and know that God both accepts our best efforts and is please when we give it our all. Now if we hold back from giving our best, we rob God of His due. Often we hold back because we are trying to do too many things at once.
The third reason we take on the burden of busyness is that we are trying to establish a righteousness before God or if you please, make ourselves worthy to God.
Romans 10:1–4 (ESV) — 1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
If we were to get the fact that we cannot earn our way to a relationship with God but we are called upon to trust in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ alone for salvation, then we are free from the burden of doing more and more to make ourselves right before God. Besides, the Bible is clear that our self-produced righteousness is an abomination to God.
Isaiah 64:6 (ESV) — 6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
What can we do with this heavy burden of busyness that seems to multiply and become heavier as time goes by?
Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV) — 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
That sounds so simple but it’s the only way to lighten your load. Instead of adding another burden, Jesus calls us to be yoked up with Him and He, the strong one will carry the load and He, as the Master gives us wisdom and insight to prioritize, get a fresh view on our acceptance in Him, encouragement to know He delights when we give it our best effort, and when we rest in His righteousness instead of trying to establish our own.
That is guilt free and shame free relief from the heavy burden of busyness.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
