3/16/11

The Badge of Honor

Does this sound familiar?

Scenario:  At the store, Susie and Jen run into each other.
Susie: Hi Jen! 
Jen: Oh hello Susie! How have you been?
Susie: Good!  Busy, but good.  Good and busy! (Susie smiles.)

This is a scene that repeats itself often in my life.  I take a quick trip into Walgreens and it never fails; I run into someone that I know.  (Sometimes that's a good thing.... Sometimes not so good!)  The conversation will usually go something like the one above. 

How did being busy become so popular?  How is being so busy that you "don't have time for anything" a good thing?  When did this creep into the Christian life? 



I know that life has fast times and slower times.  There are times that things speed up and we really can't help it.  The problem for some people is, when things speed up, they keep going at that pace!  When life speeds up, it can be like a snowball rolling down a hill.  It just keeps getting bigger and faster!  Eventually, the snowball hits something at the bottom of the hill and explodes! 

Jesus is supposed to be our example and he took breaks!  Jesus often ministered to a lot of people all at once.  Crowds were always following Him, pushing in on Him.  People needed Him.  I don't know if you've ever experienced that, but it's exhausting!  The writers of the Bible didn't leave out the fact that Jesus rested.

We need to follow in Jesus' footsteps.  He was there for people.  He worked miracles.  He hung out with his friends.  He ministered to the outcasts of society... AND He rested.

Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT) says:
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
I looked those verses up in Strong's Concordance.  The first "rest" means:  to refresh: - take ease, refresh, (give, take) rest.

The second "rest" means: intermission; by implication recreation: - rest.

How can we take a rest when the whole world needs us?  I don't know... Jesus did it!

1. Prioritize - Webster says, ": to list or rate (as projects or goals) in order of priority"
      Make a list of what you do, then put them in order according to what is important.
2. Eliminate!  Go through the list and start to eliminate the items at the bottom.  If you want to be really radical, cut your list in half! 
3.  Say, "NO!"  Don't yell it.  Just get used to saying it.  You don't have to do everything that everyone asks you to do! 
4.  Ask ~ Ask God to help you prioritze and for strength to JUST say NO!

Are you wearing "busyness" like a badge of honor?  Find rest in Jesus.  Take an intermission from your to-do list.  Put the words "recreation" and "rest" on your schedule in ink!  That way you can't erase it!


Need some inspiration?





2 comments:

Unknown said...

So True! I almost feel "guilty" when I'm not busy...since having baby #9 I have intentionally slowed down to enjoy her (the years fly by as it is) and I am loving the slower pace of my days arranged around feedings, changings, and naps. I would add one more picture to your great ones above...of a mother holding a sleeping child.
Excellent reminder, Janet.
Keep up the God work.

Unknown said...

Thanks for this much-needed reminder. I'm learning to plan to "do nothing", and keep that plan.

Kingdom Blessings!
Pam Ross, your newest fan.

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