This past Sunday's sermon was on resting - both during the Sabbath and during the week. The pastor made the point that our constant busyness - which is often a badge of distinction in our culture - actually detracts from the quality of the life we are seeking to live so busily. He quoted one man who, when asked what his biggest regret in life was, answered "busyness". It really made me think. I am not a person who greatly enjoys busyness for its own sake, but I like to be doing things, accomplishing things, and living life according to my plan. How many times a week am I truly still and meditating on the things of God, worshiping Him? Even my quiet times are often times where I make a goal to "learn lots of things" and spend my time digging for information about God when I could be focused on strengthening my relationship with Him!
Busyness also tends to keep us from deep, meaningful relationships. For me personally, even on a vacation or with a group of friends, I tend to let the activities take over my time and make my thoughts, words, and actions shallow, when I could be using my time in meaningful ways to grow closer to my friends and family. Activities are fun and important in relationship building, don't get me wrong - and I like to have fun and goof off as much as anyone I know. But do we let activities and busyness and "stuff" in general consume our lives when we could be growing closer to God and others in deeper ways? Just something I've been thinking about this week. What do y'all think?
~Mac
