“Crazy Busy” by Megan Wilson
Another Alabama August is upon us, for most of us this means hot days and kids back to school. The slow summer pace seems to come to a halt as a new school year is upon us, and the extracurricular activities start back at full speed. Depending on the season of life one might find themselves in generally dictates the number of soccer games, piano recitals, or art classes we chase; however, one thing that seems to ring true across all seasons is – we are all busy. I’m not talking about the “busy” we give as a response to the question “how have you been doing?” I’m talking about the busy that can leave us frantic and frenzied. When I find myself overwhelmed by all the commitments that seem to swirl around me, I am left prone to anxiety, resentment, impatience, and irritability. The Lord is faithful over and over and over again to continually draw me to Himself as my place of rest and source of strength.
Place of Rest
Often when I look around at all the task needing to be done, I am way too convinced of my importance and find myself trusting in my work rather than God’s. Yet, if I want to live a life of God-glorifying productivity, there are few things I need more than a regular rhythm of rest. Jesus tells us in Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (NIV) One practical way God has reminded me of this lately is through the beauty of His church and how He has gifted each of us with different gifts and different callings. This truth has freed me to say “no” to commitments the Lord does not intend for me. A question I have begun to ask myself is, “am I trying to do good, or just make myself look good?” When I am trying to do good, it is then the Spirit empowers and equips those good works to happen through me. When I am just trying to make myself look good, I am often left with dread and weary of the task at hand. The cross that Jesus asks me to carry is the one that says I will do anything to follow Him, not the one that says I have to do everything for Him.
Source of Strength
The reason we are busy is because we are supposed to be working. Responsibilities must be taken care of. God has given us good gifts to steward for His glory. The busyness I find to be bad is not the busyness of work, but the busyness that works at the wrong things. Busy trying to please people, busy trying to control others, busy doing the things we haven’t been called to do. Jesus was amazingly busy, but only with the work he was supposed to be doing. If we too are following Jesus and loving and serving others well, we will be busy and burdened the majority of our time. He never leaves us in our own strength but promises us His power in our weakness!
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV)
Be encouraged that we can rest because Christ worked. Do not be surprised when you face crazy weeks of all kinds. And do not be surprised when Christ sustains you in the midst of them.
About the Author ~ Megan Wilson
Megan Wilson is continually learning what it means to follow Jesus closely and to rest in His grace and goodness. She and her husband Matthew, along with their two children, are active members of Summit Crossing Community Church. She manages the everyday tasks of their family, works full time as a Realtor with Capstone Realty, and volunteers weekly for Bible Study Fellowship. In her free time, you can find her with a good book or sitting around a dinner table with her close friends.
One Comment
Thanks Megan for the reminder about how the busyness of working at the wrong things wears us out! Good article!