The Busyness of Life
Life is crazy busy! There are so many things that must be accomplished. The list of To-Dos varies considerably for everyone, but life moves at a non-stop pace. Occasionally, it feels like chasing light. It doesn’t matter how far or how fast I run, I am never going to catch it. Every day I check off an item from the To-Do list, it feels like I add three more. Can you relate?
Maybe it’s because I am a Type A person, or perhaps it is because I like to tackle a lot. It may be because I work two jobs. The other night, I was delivering pizzas for job number two. After two or three hours and many deliveries later, I attempted to stuff a receipt into my shirt pocket. I must have rubbed that receipt down the left side of my shirt five times before I stopped and questioned if I was wearing a different shirt.
Step Back & Evaluate
After breathing out the frustration, I stopped to evaluate the situation. It became laughably obvious that I put my shirt on inside out. TWO. HOURS. After logging off at 5, I was consumed with the many things that needed to get done, so I threw on my delivery attire and rushed out the door. My mind was so focused on the “list” that I did not even take the handful of seconds necessary to ensure my shirt was on correctly.
Playing back in my head all the times I have been told, “you rush too much,” or “why are you in such a hurry all the time,” I thought of Jesus’ response to Martha in Luke 10. Take a look.
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
Frustration
Martha opens up her home and welcomes in the King of the universe. The incarnate God of all creation stepped into Martha’s home, and what does she do? She busies herself serving and showing hospitality. There is no doubt that this level of hospitality was certainly appreciated and expected for guests who enter the home, but Jesus didn’t come for her hospitality. He came for her! Martha’s sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. Martha was somewhat indignant at her sister for leaving her to do all the work.
“Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me”
LUke 10:40
Pay attention to her thought process because in 2000 years, humans have not changed. Busyness leads to frustration and agitation, especially when others are not helping when you believe they should.
Perspective
Look at Jesus’ response. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.” The one necessary thing is to do what Mary did. Sitting at the Lord’s feet and listening to his teaching is the most important thing! I know you have deadlines, work, family, chores, and on and on the list goes. Complete one task and add three more. I get it. Instead of continuing to rush, take a moment and stop. Stop and sit at the Master’s feet. Listen to his teaching, rest in his presence, and commit your day, your work, your tasks, and all to him. Don’t go out of the house with your shirt on inside out because you were too busy, anxious, and troubled about many things. Be about the one necessary thing. Life is busy, so hurry up and slow down. Rest at the Master’s feet and listen to all he has to say, for he, and he alone, is life and peace.
Should you be curious, the answer is yes. Yes, I fixed my shirt.
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