In continuation to the Simplify Life Series, I am delighted to host Kris Baines, a dear friend of our family, who has incredible wisdom on the subject. Read more about Kris in his biography below. I know you will treasure his profound insights as I do!

Contrary to what many of us may think at times – if being busy is something that is hindering our spiritual progress, and crowding out the important with the urgent – the remedy to this, is not being “un-busy“.

Being busy in and of itself, is not wrong, in fact it is essential we are busy in life. However, what matters most of all, is what we are busy with.

God intended our lives to be full of activity, productivity, and creativity. Click To Tweet

But there’s a massive difference between a life given to those things for selfish gain, and a life given to those things, for God’s glory.

When we get so busy that our spiritual priorites take a back seat in our lives, then we know that our priorities are in need of a re-shuffle. Some of us may even be too busy with “spiritual” activities, because they are over and above that which God has called us to give our time to.

God gives us His grace to get His will done,

not to help us get our will done.

A Critical Point to Consider About Your Busyness

God's ecomony is not just about efficiency, but is more about effectiveness. Click To Tweet

Consider this – Jesus had a ministry on earth that lasted just over 3 years. If it was up to me (which it isn’t!) I would have maximised His potential, and given Jesus a long life, to get more done! However, God’s ways are above my ways (thankfully), and though Christ’s life was seemingly cut short, He cried those words from the cross, “It is finished!”

So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

John 19:30

His life on earth wasn’t necessarily the most efficient use of a life, in worldly wisdom, but in God’s wisdom it was the most effective life ever lived!

For thought, prayer and application

Take a moment to pause, and evaluate the activity in your life, from week to week.

Is it busy, but fruitful and manageable?
Is it busy, but unproductive and unmanageable?
Is it crazy-busy, and you are holding on by a finger nail?

Take some time to think and pray, asking the Lord, “Am I being effective in the things You have called me to? Please show me where I am busy in the wrong things, and show me how to be busy in the right things. Please help me to have a mindset that doesn’t want to just do as much as I can for you, but to do what you have asked me to do – Amen”.

What can you change in your life that will include activities which will be eternally effective?

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For the first two parts of the Simplify Life Series, follow the following links:

The #1 Location To Spend More of Your Time

5 Suggestions For Living A Slower-Paced Life