As I may have mentioned about 10 times in my last post, I don’t like free time… when I get free time my automatic instinct is too find new and exciting stuff to do.
My elementary school mascots were the Busy Bees… I guess it stuck. I am a sucker for a good cause… they are my honey. If it seems like something God would approve of, I am onboard, sign me up.
But, sometimes I get to the point where I have to make a choice. As of yet I have not actually found a way to be three places at once… sad, I know. So there comes a time, when I have to say “no.” Saying “no” to something leaves me with a sense of weakness and not being a team player. Being able to say “yes” makes me feel good.
But, being busy, even with God’s work can become a distraction from God.
A good friend told me awhile back that Satan, being the tricky guy he is, can even use things that are by nature “good” to distractme from God. It’s the “too much of a good thing” idea. Something like wanting to talk to people, being enthusiastic, and wanting to do good deeds are not bad things. But, it is possible to spend so much time trying to do what’s “right” and what I “should” do thatmyagenda becomes packed. Spending qt with God seems to fall to the wayside asI check off all the good things I am going to accomplish each day.
I think we all have “to do” lists… mental, written on your hand, hung on the fridge, or otherwise. Have you ever written something on your list that doesn’t really need to be there just so you can feel good when you cross it off? For me, checking something off my list gives me a sense of accomplishment… sometimes I even say “check” as I do it for the added effect… but maybe that’s just me!
Ourcultureisdriven by productivity and accomplishments, especially ones that show our independence and personal strength. Even doing the “selfless”acts we call Community Servicecan strengthen our pride (and our resumes) with the warm fuzzy feeling we get from helping others. The tricky part is that in God’s eyes… this personal strength we’re raised to value isn’t high on his list.
We’re supposed to rely on Him for our strength. In 2 CorinthiansPaul explains that in response to asking Godto take away his struggles, God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” So now Paul rejoices in weakness because then his faith in God becomes stronger. Jesus talks an awful lot about how blessed it is to be weak and humble, counterintuitive even to their culture 2000 years ago. But blessed are the accomplished and proud doesn’t seem to make the list.
God, what are the things in my life I need to say “no” to, so that I can continue to say “yes” to the things you have planned? What are the areas of my life that bring you glory and what are the areas that bring glory only to me? Help me spend less times doing things under the pretense that they are for you and spend more time actually in your presence.
