The Glorification of Being Busy
How much is on your plate? I am not talking about your dinner plate. I am talking about your metaphoric plate of tasks. You know, the “plate” that is always full. Maybe you have driving the kids to afterschool activities, activities at church, mountains of housework, a full-time and demanding career, fostering friendships, piles of homework, or a million other things. Being a wife, mother, daughter, friend, student, employee, and Christian is challenging, exhausting, stressful, and demanding when all the world wants us to be is busy.
We live in a society that glorifies being busy at all costs. As I look around at my friends and into my heart, the thing that is made the most sacred is doing as much as possible and adding so much to my plate until it is on the brink of breaking. How often do our conversations take a turn of comparing and trying to one-up each other on how much we are doing, how exhausted we are, and how we need pity because of our busyness?
In my ear, I can hear the devil whisper, “You are not doing enough. You are not good enough unless you do more.” Why does being busy equal success in our minds? My heart is convicted when I think more about it. How often do I find my identity as a teacher, grad student, and wife rather than as a child of God or a redeemed soul?
The story of Mary and Martha comes to mind immediately. One sister, Martha, found her value in the tasks that needed to be, and Mary found her worth in sitting at the feet of Jesus. I imagine in Martha’s head she thought, “Well, I will take time with Jesus when I finish everything else.” Her intentions of working hard were not inherently bad, but when it overshadowed the time she could have spent with her Savior, she was missing the mark. I see myself reflected in Martha. Time with my Savior can wait because there are dishes in the sink. Talking to Jesus can wait while I finish running errands. Worship with my church family can happen another time because I have too much to do. I will start reading my Bible next week. These examples of the glorification of being busy are victories for the enemy.
So here is your permission to slow down. There is value in hard work, but nothing is more sanctified than moments with God. What does God say about being busy?
Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This is Jesus telling you to rest at his feet. It is an invitation to shut out the busyness of life and spend time with him. Lay your burdens on him and let him help you carry the full plate of life.
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The world tells you that you need to be busy to be successful. God tells you that you are loved, valued, and redeemed no matter what you do. That unconditional love is poured out from a God whose love knows no measure.
Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” God encourages and wants us to work hard, but not to impress people. Rather he desires us to work hard for the Lord. In everything you do from the diaper changes to the laundry, let those actions be to glorify God.
And let us not forget that even Jesus needed a nap. Remember when he calmed the raging storm. He was asleep on the boat because he had spent so much time healing and preaching that even he valued restful time. It is completely fine if you need rest too.
Dear sister in Christ, free yourself from a culture that glorifies being busy. Rather, take a break and remember the one that can carry the full plate that you carry. Find rest in your Savior and take the tasks of this world as an opportunity to glorify and point others to Christ.