Being
busy and accomplishing much have always been some of my idols. To be sure, I
have many more, but those are two idols I wrestle with on a continual
basis. I used to think that being busy
made me “special” some how, better than the other people around me. As I grew
older I matured and realized that nearly everyone I met was busy in their own
way and I was no different from the rest. Since moving to Pennsylvania, I have
come to see that indeed, being busy is very much part of the culture out here. So
in that respect, I fit in well.
As
I have grown in my faith I have begun to see how being busy can be a hindrance
to our walk with God. Our time for devotion and prayer, our time to see the
Lord and enjoy the light of his countenance, can become marginalized as we seek
to accomplish everything on our “To-Do” list first. Into the midst of these revelations two
passages from Scripture have stood out lately, urging me to slow down and
appreciate a simpler life.
In
his letter to the Jews in Diaspora, James writes, “For the sun
rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its
beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they
go about their business” (James 1.1, NIV). Some flowers were recently planted
along the backside of the Manse. I tried my very best to water them but for
whatever reason, they succumbed to the heat, withered and died. Now their
lifeless stems and crinkled leaves lay folded over the earth, a visual witness to
the truth of these words. If we put our very lives into what we can accomplish
in this world, if we over elevate the accomplishments of our job or tasks
around the house—or even in the church—over God, we should not be surprised
when we find ourselves suddenly unable to stand on our own and withering away.
Against
a busy life and the rigors of a dog-eat-dog world Paul told the believers in
Corinth that, “For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity
and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and
supremely so toward you” (2nd Corinthians 1.12, ESV). An
interesting boast: behaving with simplicity. Today we boast in that which makes
our lives even more complicated: our degrees, our accomplishments, even our
latest technological gadget, things that prevent us from slowing down and
appreciating God’s creation. Yet Paul boasted in simplicity.
We
are currently living in the pleasant transition of Spring to Summer. The earth
seems to have come alive over night: I’ve been overwhelmed this week by the
abundance of green and hints of purple, white, yellow and red, everywhere I go.
How can we be aware of the provision God has for us if we never slow down to
consider the lilies? Take some time and intentionally slow down over the coming
weeks. Eliminate some unnecessary things from your agenda. Have a genuine
conversation with someone face to face without glancing at your cell phone.
Enjoy the beauty of God’s creation that you might not wither in the busyness of
this world but rather be governed by the grace of God.