We live in a culture that wears busyness like a badge of honor. How do we practice the presence of the Lord in a season where there doesn’t seem to be any margin for more of God? We want to show up for all the people in our life, but it feels like there’s just not enough time in the day or patience in our heart.
Both Heather and Jamie are in really busy seasons and have had to wrestle with the tension of rushing through moments versus being intentional and present in the daily rhythms of life. Check out our episode:
In many people’s minds, busyness equals productivity.
Spouses, kids, jobs, parents, friends, all competing for our attention—all needed something from us.
And when there are so many demands on our time, certain areas inevitably suffer. Jesus can easily take a backseat in the busyness because we can’t see him. We get so consumed by what we “should” do that we neglect what we need to do.
In his earthly ministry, there were countless people who wanted things from Jesus.
You know, like raising their family members from the dead, giving sight to the blind, casting out demons, etc. . . . and in the midst of these huge expectations and responsibilities, Jesus made space for rest and communion with God, because he knew that time was the fuel that would sustain him through everything else.
Luke 10:38–42 provides an incredible example of managing priorities in the midst of responsibility:
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Who do you relate to more in this story, Mary or Martha?
If we’re honest, most of the time we resemble Martha. We rush through life consumed by getting to the next place, running the next errand, finishing the next project, doing everything that we “should” do.
But are we neglecting what we need? In the days that are busy from sunup to sundown, being present with the Lord takes mindful intentionality.
We know . . . this can be hard. But that time before everyone else wakes up may be your only opportunity for a moment of stillness and silence. These early morning moments can set the tone for the rest of your day.
“I’m not missing time with the Lord because I want to sleep in until the kids wake me up.”
If ten minutes in the morning is all you have, make the most of it.
Meditate on Scripture like Romans 12:1-2 (MSG)
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
In the busiest seasons, it’s still easy to want to put yourself first. When our lives are jam-packed, any moment of free time feels like a chance to take some time for ourselves, but those free moments are an opportunity to connect with God.
“I can either just do what I want to do, or I can use that time as a time of growth.”
Even if it’s just five minutes in the car, can you use that time to listen to a chapter in your Bible reading plan or spend a couple minutes in prayer?
We can be aware of the presence of God in every moment of our day, no matter how mundane or routine.
We can know God in our work, in our chores, in our time with our kids. Invite God into every moment—even the ones where you’re frustrated or overwhelmed.
Refocus your attention on Him daily.
You can pray a prayer similar to this:
“Lord, help me. I have a lot of things to get done but give me patience to hear what’s being said to me. Help me to see and know those around me. Help me be aware of your presence today.”
Even in these busy seasons, we’re bringing ourselves before Him.
You may not have time to sit down and read your Bible every day, but you can still faithfully follow Jesus right where you’re at. We’re bringing it all to God and asking that He works through us—keeping our attitude right, being emotionally healthy and present in our relationships, and allowing Him to lead and guide us in every moment.
What are you doing in this season to faithfully follow Jesus?
Text “Life” to 23101 and let us know.
Subscribe to In Motion on Spotify, Apple Podcast, or YouTube to stay up to date with season 4!
Check out this episode on busyness:
Shownotes:
In this episode, Heather and Jamie talk about Blake’s message from the Daughters Conference. You can listen to that message here: https://youtu.be/OPGid2xhsm8
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