“Hi! How are you?”
“I’m Busy! Thanks. How are you?”
“I’ve got a lot going on this week.”
Does “busy” define you?
We live in a society and maybe even a world that values accomplishments. We want to see visible proof that someone is doing something with their life. We ask, “How are you doing?” We prove what we are “doing” a lot by posting pictures of all our “doings” on social media.
If “doing” so much was really the answer, wouldn’t we have seen a rise in happiness and satisfaction with every new invention of a time saving device? Wouldn’t we see a society of blissful people all answering, “I’m busy” with smiles of delight?
But no, this is not what we see.
We see a rise in exhaustion. So people have invented thousands of “energy” drinks. We see a rise in anxiety and depression. So pills have been invented to combat those difficulties. We see a rise in loneliness, even though we have access to all of our “friends” 24 hours a day.
We feel obligated to join in the mad rush, yet we are missing the point.
God created each and every one of us with the ability to accomplish some very specific things. Some call it our purpose. The very first part of all of our purposes is to know God. How else can we understand our part in His story? When we take the time to know God, to be in His presence, we begin to understand ourselves better. What makes us happy? What are we passionate about? What are the specific issues in the world that we can see the solution to? Not only see the solution, but want to be a part of creating that solution.
I want to challenge you to take a good look at all that you are “doing.” How much of it gives you energy? How much of it seems to align with your purpose? Are you valuing busyness over real relationships? Are you valuing what you have done more than who you are becoming? If you play out your life 5 years into the future, will you be proud of who you are?
Over the past year, I have dramatically cut back on my activities, in order to focus in on the few things I feel like God has very clearly shown me to focus on. I had underestimated how much energy I was wasting. Now, I was doing “good” things, but they became a waste in my life because they were keeping me from the specific purpose I know God has been asking me to fulfill.
I’ve had more time to spend with God – to read the bible, to pray, to listen to Him. He spoke to me one time very powerfully. He said, “I would rather you spend time in my presence, than that you go out and change the world but not know me.”
Wow! Think about that. He would rather you “do” nothing and just “be” with him.
Don’t you think people in your life feel this way, too?
One of the important reasons for clearing my schedule was to have time for people. I love inviting people over to my home, to talk and listen to their stories. I like this time not to be rushed. I don’t want to “fit” someone in for just an hour. As my time has been available, people have come. Both friends I already had in my life and new people. It’s been amazing how God has used this time, this available time. It has blessed me immensely and also those who have come.
Focusing on our purpose is powerful because God is a part of it. Don’t get caught up just doing a lot. Do what He is asking you to do. You will find more power, more peace, more joy and more rest than you thought possible. Relationships will have time to deepen. You will experience greater fulfillment than ever before. He does call us on an adventure but it’s specific. He doesn’t just want us busy.
Next time someone asks you, “How are you doing?” Tell them you are full of peace and rest. Watch their reaction – it will be great! 🙂
Create the space to fulfill the dream!