I wake up and look at my phone checking emails, sports scores and news. Before I know it, I’m obsessed with my “to-do” list. My mind becomes cluttered with scheduled meetings, family obligations, errands to run, and people to call or visit. Unfortunately, this describes some days.
We grow up consumed with efficiency. We crowd many activities into a day. If we aren’t careful, it’s tempting to equate multitasking and busyness with success. Marriages break up when a spouse makes family second to work and personal accomplishments.
Our busyness not only hurts us physically, mentally, and emotionally, but also spiritually. It weakens physical health, robs the soul of peace, and prevents ministry to others. More importantly, we lose reward in heaven. Let’s look at Luke 6 for perspective and a way out of this treadmill.
1. Believe in Sabbath rest for refreshment
The Pharisees questioned why Jesus and His disciples picked and ate grain that violated he Sabbath. Jesus said when David and his companions were hungry, they ate consecrated bread reserved for priests alone. “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath”
(Luke 6:1-5). God designed the Sabbath for physical and spiritual refreshment.
2. Use rest to be equipped for ministry
When Jesus healed a man to restore his withered hand, He said to the Pharisees, “I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm, to save a life, or to destroy it?” (Luke 6:6-11). God designed the Sabbath for ministry in helping others.
3. Spend extended time with God for strategic impact
Jesus spent a whole night on the mountain praying to God. He chose twelve to be His apostles. Many disciples and people were healed of their diseases and unclean spirits (Luke 6:12-19). Spend much time in prayer for effective healing ministries.
4. Employ humble attitudes for reward in heaven
Jesus said to be poor, hungry, and weep to experience the kingdom of God, satisfaction, and laughter. People received great reward in heaven when men hated, ostracized, cast insults and spurned their name as evil for the sake of the Son of Man (Luke 6:20-26). Embrace humility, endure lack of earthly resources, and tolerate insults because of your faith to experience God’s kingdom and reward in heaven.
5. Show mercy to difficult people for reward in heaven
Love enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you, and treat others the way you want to be treated for great reward in heaven as sons of the Most High. Be merciful as your Father is merciful. Don’t judge or condemn, but pardon. Give and it will be given to you. (Luke 6:27-38). Show mercy and kindness to difficult people who mistreat you.
6. Speak from a God-centered heart
A blind man can’t guide a blind man. Take the log out of your own eye so you can see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Good trees produce good fruit. Bad trees produce bad fruit. A man speaks from that which fills his heart (Luke 6:39-45). Good speech flows from a heart reconciled to God.
7. Ground yourself in God’s word
Everyone who comes to God, hears His words, and acts upon them is like a man who builds his house upon the rock. It’s able to withstand floods. The one who didn’t act upon God’s word is like a man whose house collapsed and suffered ruin without a foundation (Luke 6:46-49). Obey God’s word to stay grounded in life’s storms.
Action Steps:
1. Set a time each day to unwind from the busyness of life. Get out of the house, take a walk, or spend time in a park away from your cell phone, computer and technology to hear God speak to you.
2. Make it daily habit so this time becomes the highlight of your day.
3. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you for ministry to others.
