I have noticed recently that when you go up to a checkout at
supermarket/shop often the phrase that is used instead of, ”Hello” is “You
having a busy day?” It just rolls off
their tongue and they are not really wanting to know or even expecting an
answer. It is similar to people greeting
you with, “How are you?”. If you stopped and actually told them, it
would not be acceptable. No one really
wants to know the answer, it has just become a normal greeting phrase.
I am starting a personal campaign. When I am asked in a public setting, “Are you
busy?” I will answer, with something like, “No, I am not thanks.” The reaction is interesting. Mostly it seems to invoke shock in the other
person as they are so used to hearing, ‘Yes I am!”, “Crazy, frantic – so much
to do!! “
Why has this become the norm, the expected response or state
of mind?
I have struggled over the years from “DOING” rather than "BEING". I filled my day with so much doing. My close friends have pointed out that I
haven’t stopped to spend time with them, because there is not space in my diary
for them! Not good!
Jesus said, John 10:10 “I
have come that they may have life, and have it to the full”, but I am sure
he didn’t mean it in this way. Full
doesn’t equate to being busy – it means, in fullness, complete, lacking
nothing, whole.
When you are doing something you love it brings you alive –
you may have lots to get done in a day, but you are not overwhelmed with that feeling
of busyness because you are living out of your passion and are energized. When we are in a place where we are truly
being who God made us to be, when we are living out of the unique calling He
has for us, our days may be full but we are not busy and stressed out because
we are doing what He created us to do.
Sounds simple doesn’t it! But why do we struggle with it so much?
Why do we find it hard at times to work out who God has made us to be,
to understand and claim our uniqueness and live from it?
Sometimes the easier option seems to be adding even more things to the to-do list that we never
should have put on there - they were not
ours to pick up.
Jesus said, Matthew 11: 28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give
you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle
and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is
easy and my burden is light.”
He wants to remove the excess that we shouldn’t be carrying,
and show us how to find rest. When we are walking in His plan for us, the yoke
and burden of our responsibility should have an easiness and lightness. We may
have things to get done, but we can thrive and feel alive with a sense of purpose.
Our society is very good at putting labels on us and placing
us into boxes that we are expected to aspire and live up to. We teach young people to be well rounded and
good at lots of things, to get to an acceptable level in everything rather than
focus on what is right/unique about the way God them and what they are created
to do. So when they get to adulthood we
see adults running about, busy, trying to be good at everything, and living
with an overarching feeling of weariness.
Maybe God really only wants you to have one thing on your
plate and be excellent at that. Maybe
that is your calling.
Are you feeling busy?
Do you have a smorgasbord on your plate rather than a la carte?
Here are a few things that have worked, and continue to work
in my life:
1. Intimacy with your Creator. Spending time with your Father God keeps you clear and in perspective. He is the only one who knows you better than you know yourself, and loves you unconditionally and perfectly, only wanting the best for your life.
2. Mentoring – allow someone to challenge you and ask you
questions like, “Why is this on your plate?” or, “Are you meant to be holding on to that?”. This could be in a formal setting with a mentor/supervisor, or by being part of a community committed to one another and willing to intentionally invest in the care and development of each another.
3. Get to know yourself – you are created perfectly for the
plan and purpose God has for your life – there is no mistake in the way you are
wired.
I have just trained as a Strengths Finder Coach. This is an assessment tool that explores your
unique personality and what is right about you.
In journeying with people using this tool, I get to see God unlock areas
in their lives as they gain understanding into their natural thoughts, feelings and behaviours and how they interact with others. They discover that God has wired them in a unique way for their unique purpose and that living in that brings them the greatest joy and fulfillment.
