To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul; in You I trust, O my God. Psalm 25:1

We’ve got big dreams. We’ve got plans. We’ve got things to do; places to go; people to see!

I get it.

There are also bills to pay; family to take care of; so many responsibilities!

“I’m Busy!”

We sometimes wear it like a badge of honor, don’t we? I know I have. I filled my days with so many “important” things to do, for so long, that I ran my health right into the ground.

I had to STOP!

I had to repent.

And I had to surrender.

While the things I filled my time with were noble enough, I rarely slowed down long enough to ask God if that was what He wanted for me.

One of my favorite passages in His Word is: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” Jeremiah 29:11-14a

It does feel like we are being held captive sometimes, doesn’t it? We feel like we have become slaves to our schedules and responsibilities. We get so entangled in our own agendas – our busyness – that we don’t see any way out! Where would we even begin?!

Dear friend, it begins with surrender.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

God has a plan for each and every one of us. We need to be seeking God’s will instead of relying on our own. The only way to do this is through the daily renewing of our minds through God’s Word and time spent with Him.

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, “Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:30-31

The Lord understands that we can be busy. The apostles were busy. Even Jesus was busy during His ministry here, on earth. BUT, we have many examples of Jesus going off, by Himself, to pray. He knew that He needed that communion with the Father in order to complete His task, here. So I have to ask, if Jesus had to stay connected to the Father, why do we think we can make it on our own?

There are seasons of busyness…but they should only be seasons. Busyness was never meant to be a lifestyle. Busyness is focusing on the temporal. As Christians, our focus should be on the eternal…the ONE THING that is needed (Luke 10:38-42).

One final thought before I close. I love the image of hands lifted up and palms facing Heaven. When we open up our death-grip on what makes us busy, not only are we able to release those distractions, but we are also wide open to receive what He has for us.

So, with hands (and hearts) wide open, take a moment to repent of any distractions that you may have allowed to rule over you. Surrender your busyness to God. And knowing that when you call upon Him, He listens – and that when you seek Him, He will be found by you – ask Him to order your steps according to His will. Trade your good, for God’s best for you.

Thanks for joining me! Be blessed!