Does Busyness Equal Significance?

One of the most common answers when someone is asked how they are doing is, "I'm really busy." I find myself saying that too. Why are we all so busy? With all of the modern technology, our lives should be easier, right? Wrong! Our lives have become more stressed and complicated across the board. Most of us have households needing two incomes, and combining that with evenings filled with household chores, meetings, and running the kids to sports, we are booked tight every day, all day.

I am currently in a season where I can choose how busy I want to be. Being an empty nester and semi-retired, I have the freedom to plan my schedule as I please. It's rather awesome, I must say. However, there are certainly times when I fall back into the familiar, with an over-committed schedule.

I have purposed in my heart to walk through doors that the Lord opens for me, which in turn brings me seasons of being very busy. Although those seasons are way less than in my younger days. However, I still have to work hard at managing opportunities and commitments to live a balanced life.

Let's ponder this reality of busyness. 

Do you feel guilty when you say no to something or someone? 

Do you think that you have to be all things to all people?

As Christ followers, at times, we substitute margins and self-care with the need to rescue and save. Don't get me wrong. I'm all about those things. But what I'm not about is overextending ourselves to the point where we are of no value to anyone. 

Is God really requiring of us to say yes to an over-committed schedule, another board meeting, and more time away from our families? Or are we saying yes to those things because it somehow gives us significance, increases our influence, and strokes our egos? 

Are we pleasing people or pleasing God? Is it in Him that we are finding our worth?

I feel that it is necessary to process the difference between an opportunity and a calling.

"In an age of speed, I began to think, nothing could be more invigorating than going slow.
In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention.
And in an age of constant movement, nothing is more urgent than sitting still."  by Pico Iyer

Let's create space... step into His pace... his rhythm.

Matt 11:28-30 “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” The Message