Busyness is the

of intimacy with Jesus.

“Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life. Why? Because hurry kills love. Hurry hides behind anger, agitation, and self-centeredness, blinding our eyes to the truth that we are God’s beloved. —Tyler Staton

³⁸ As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ 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!” ⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42

1) Busyness does not equal

.

A full calendar with a starving soul isn’t helping you and doesn’t please God.

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.”
Luke 10:40

“Work is a means to worship, not a substitute for it. When our jobs become our gods, we trade the Creator for the created, and our souls pay the price.” —Tim Keller

But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
Luke 5:16

The speed of your life defeats the

of your life.

2) Busyness is often rooted in

.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things…”
Luke 10:41

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called Children of God; and so, we are.
1 John 3:1a

But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead.
Ephesians 2:4-5

Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.
Isaiah 46:10

God can accomplish in five seconds of surrender what we couldn’t achieve in five years of striving.

3) Prioritize Jesus and

your life.

“But few things are needed- or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what it better and it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:42

The great danger of busyness is that it keeps us from the feet of Jesus.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
James 4:14

“The solution to an over busy life is not more time. It’s to slow down and simplify our lives around what really matters.” —John Mark Comer

What is the way forward?
1) Learn to say no.

2) Take an honest look at your priorities.

What you do with the time you have tells the world what really matters to you!

²⁸ Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Matthew 11:28-29