Busy Busy Busy

by Becky Melendez

God wants us to stay busy and work hard, but He doesn’t want us to be too busy.
The Proverbs 31 woman was a very busy person. 1Ti. 5:8 says he who doesn’t provide for his own is worse than an infidel. 
In Pro. 6:6-11 we see that God wants us to be as the ant who thinks and works far into the future. And if we sleep too much, poverty will come on us like a robber.  Also see Pro. 10:4-5, Pro. 12:24, Pro. 19:15 and Pro. 24:33-34.
In Matt. 11:28-30 Jesus says – Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.           
If your yoke is not easy, and your burden light, then you are doing too much or doing things that God has not called you to do.
Following are 5 steps to help you accomplish everything in a timely manner, without always being worn out, and stay in the will of God.

Step # 1 – Get up early.

Ps. 88:13 says But unto thee, O God, have I cried: and in the morning shall my prayer come before thee. There are many examples of people rising early to spend time with the Lord.  A few of them are, Ex. 24:4, Ps. 5:3, Ps. 30:5b, and Ps. 55:16-17 which tells us to seek God evening, morning and at noon.

Step # 2 – Guard your mouth. 

Avoid  statements such as, “ I’m too busy”, I don’t know how I’m going to get everything done or “I can’t, I don’t have time”.  Pro. 15:2 says the tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. Speaking negatively is foolish. Also read Pro. 13:2-4.  Mark 11:23 says we can have what we say. If you say “I can’t, I don’t have time” too many times you better watch out, you might just get what you say.
Some better confessions are. What is impossible for me is possible with God. Luke 18:27.  I believe the word.  All things are possible to him who believes. Mark 9:23.  Or, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13.

Step #3 – Let peace guide you.

Col. 3:15a says - And let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Phil 4: 7 says - And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. When someone asks you to do something, don’t be too quick to say yes or no. When God wants you to do something, He will help you get it done no matter how busy you are. On the other hand someone may ask you to do something that is a really good deed which very much needs to be done. But if you don’t have peace about it, it could be that God doesn’t want you to do that thing. When someone asks you to do something and your unsure what to do.  Say quietly to the Lord.
“ What do you want me to do Lord?”  You may know instantly, or you may need to say, “ let me pray about it and I’ll let you know.” Sometimes there are things we are afraid to do. God wants us to do some things to get over our fear. To know the difference in being out of the will of God and just being afraid let the Holy Spirit guide you. John 14:26- 27 says - But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 

Step #4 – Be led by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:26-27 says Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit himself maketh intercession for us with groaning's which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. John 16:13-15 says -  the Holy Spirit will reveal things to us.
When we pray in tongues our minds become quiet so that we can hear from God. 1Co. 14:14 and 1Co 14:2. 1Co. 2:6-16 tells us how we can have the mind of Christ. God will reveal to us how He wants us to spend our time by His Spirit.

Step #5 – Let wisdom instruct you.

Joshua 1:8 says This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth: day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. As we study the Word and grow in the Lord, we will know what to do and when to do it. God expects us to use wisdom. Pro. 4:20-22 says to give attention to God’s words. (The Bible is God speaking to you.)

In summary -  God doesn’t want us to be worn out, stressed out, or late all the time. Follow the 5 steps above and you will find yourself being more rested and on time more often.