And now it’s March! We often talk about how busy things are during the holiday season, but I’ve noticed that it’s really not that much different year round. Daylight Saving Time begins on March 10th and the first day of spring is March 20th. Along with these important dates comes a wide variety of activities: special services at church, spring sports, outdoor activities, all the events that accommodate the end of another school year, etc. etc. The fact is that January through October is just as demanding and hectic as the busy “holiday” months of November and December.
At times we complain that there’s just not enough time in the day to accomplish all that’s often required of us. I’ve made that statement numerous times. However, I’m reminded that Jesus confined Himself to a human body and walked this earth with the same 24 hour day restrictions that we are under. And what’s amazing is that He never let that stop Him from accomplishing all that the Father laid before Him. In other words, Jesus never let the demands of the moment prevent Him from completing God’s will. And neither should we.
Maybe we’re too busy. Maybe we should pause this spring and re-evaluate our priorities. The truth of the matter is that we will be as busy as we let ourselves be. In fact, if we’re not careful we’ll let our schedules manage us instead of us managing our schedules. In prioritizing our agendas the question we must answer individually is this: Do the things that consume my time hold any eternal value for the glory of God, or am I so busy with the here and now that I don’t have time for the eternal? Jesus said “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33).
Are you sincerely putting the things of God first in your life? Do prayer, Bible study, and seeking to walk in obedience to His Word take precedence over the rest of your schedule? Or, do you allow your overbooked calendar to dictate how you spend your time? God has brought me to the point in my pilgrimage where I realize the necessity of placing His agenda before mine. That means that I may not get to do all the things I want to do each day. It also means that at times I may have to forfeit some of my freedoms like hobbies, times of relaxation, etc. However, I’m convinced that if I am truly putting God first (and His kingdom and His righteousness), then all those other things will have their place.
Being too busy is often a choice. As a follower of Christ, why not commit to putting God first and not “busy” yourself out of His will for your life? Otherwise you may miss the abundance of His daily blessings that He has in store for you! Seeking first the kingdom of God is part of our sanctification as we continue to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
By His Grace,
Pastor Johnny