"Busyness is not a spiritual gift."From an interview with~ Lisa Harper ~
Busy, Busy, Busy… wait… maybe I can fit you in next week. :o)
Does this describe your schedule? Busyness is NOT a spiritual gift!! God has not called us to cram as much as we can into each day. Yes, He has called us to serve, but we can be so busy serving that we forget WHO we are to be serving – GOD Himself.
Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV) says, “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."
I like it even better in The Message: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
He does not want us to be so burdened down with serving that we actually become a slave to it. Servanthood is not to be slavery; we are not to be driven to exhaustion trying to serve God. Instead, we are to serve Him as He leads us, with a willing and glad heart, confident that He will not require more from us than we are able to give.
Being “a slave to Christ” refers to ownership – He has paid the price for our freedom and now we “belong” to Him. It does not infer that Jesus is our Master and we are His slaves. Slaves have no choice, no option as to whether to obey. We do. The Old Testament refers to “hard taskmasters” – this does NOT describe our relationship with God.
Jesus came to give us “rest for our souls.” John 10:10 (KJV) says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
More abundant does not mean “the ability and/or energy to do more things.” The Message says it is “so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” The thief wants to steal, kill, and destroy – this includes stealing our time, killing our relationships, and destroying our health. That doesn’t sound like an easy yoke or a light burden, does it?
God has given us many gifts, but He wants us to ask for His guidance in how and when we are to use them – for Him. 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV) says, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Does this describe your schedule? Busyness is NOT a spiritual gift!! God has not called us to cram as much as we can into each day. Yes, He has called us to serve, but we can be so busy serving that we forget WHO we are to be serving – GOD Himself.
Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV) says, “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."
I like it even better in The Message: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
He does not want us to be so burdened down with serving that we actually become a slave to it. Servanthood is not to be slavery; we are not to be driven to exhaustion trying to serve God. Instead, we are to serve Him as He leads us, with a willing and glad heart, confident that He will not require more from us than we are able to give.
Being “a slave to Christ” refers to ownership – He has paid the price for our freedom and now we “belong” to Him. It does not infer that Jesus is our Master and we are His slaves. Slaves have no choice, no option as to whether to obey. We do. The Old Testament refers to “hard taskmasters” – this does NOT describe our relationship with God.
Jesus came to give us “rest for our souls.” John 10:10 (KJV) says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
More abundant does not mean “the ability and/or energy to do more things.” The Message says it is “so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” The thief wants to steal, kill, and destroy – this includes stealing our time, killing our relationships, and destroying our health. That doesn’t sound like an easy yoke or a light burden, does it?
God has given us many gifts, but He wants us to ask for His guidance in how and when we are to use them – for Him. 1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV) says, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
God gives us the strength and ability to accomplish what HE has called us to do. Answer His call and then follow HIS leading. Be busy doing what HE is asking of you.
For more on "Busyness," read my post: God’s Pace
Selah Y
Please visit Fruit in Season, this week's hostess for more “In Other Words” posts.
6 comments:
Asking for guidance as to how to use our gifts is the key! Wonderful post, thanks for participating today!
Well said, thanks for sharing.
God gives us the strength and ability to accomplish what HE has called us to do. Answer His call and then follow HIS leading. Be busy doing what HE is asking of you.
Amen!!!!
Great post Cheryl. Always enjoy hearing what's going on in your head!
What a great post and I love your thoughts on this week's quote.
Blessings
Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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