When the Season Feels Too Busy - Your Nightly Prayer - December 6th
When the Season Feels Too Busy
Your Nightly Prayer
By Greg Grandchamp
TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” - Luke 10:41-42
SOMETHING TO PONDER
The Christmas season – Advent – can be an incredibly busy time for everyone. The pressures on our time can be a bit overwhelming. Between work, shopping, the kids’ activities, our own activities, meals, decorations, preparing, preparing, and preparing…it’s the never-ending “I’ve got to…” list. Yeah, it can add a great deal of stress to what should be a joyful time.
Of course, the Bible certainly teaches us to work hard. It teaches that productivity is commendable – but also warns us against the dangers of taking on too much (Ecclesiastes 4:6) or setting the wrong priorities (Luke 10:41-42)
Martha experienced this. We can be certain she was a bit high-intensity. Jesus and His disciples arrived on their way to Jerusalem. We aren’t told how many there were, but given there were no phones, we can sort of assume it was unannounced. Martha responded as – oh, as most of us would – getting everything ready for her honored guests. And she got annoyed that her sister wasn’t helping. But Jesus made sure to point out, “Martha, Mary is focused on what’s really important. So should you.”
We can’t imagine anyone busier than Jesus must have been. Yet, Jesus always took time to pray and be alone with the Father. Mark 1:35 tells us that Jesus got up before sunrise and went off to be alone and pray. So too we must be very intentional about carving time out of our schedules to do the same. It is in these quiet times alone that we can hear His voice and He can renew our strength.
When we are constantly busy, we may very well miss out on some of the most important things of the Advent season – well, of any season really. We end up neglecting our relationship with the Lord. We can get so wrapped up in being constantly busy that we miss out on spending time in His presence.
Excessive busyness can also work to erode the joy of the very season we are supposed to be celebrating – the birth of our Savior. It can lead us more into anxiety over what we have not yet done, as well as stress over when we will find time to accomplish everything. In turn, anxiety and stress can result in impatience and irritability. In other words, when we are overworked and overwhelmed, it becomes more difficult to maintain that joyful spirit that we are called to.
Sometimes, as we attempt to get everything done, we forget that we, too, are but human. Humans have physical, emotional, and spiritual limits. It helps to recognize those limitations and seek help – and to prioritize a healthy balance between our spiritual well-being and our commitments. Rather than carry them alone, we are taught to “cast our burdens on the Lord.” (1 Peter 5:7)
Let’s make sure we keep our priorities straight, keeping the first things first. If you find yourself neglecting time with the Lord, or if your relationships are strained and suffering a bit from your busyness, maybe it’s a sign. If you are not taking time to let yourself be filled with the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace and all the rest – then take time to focus on what’s really important – just as Jesus taught Martha.
YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER
Father, you know all things, and you know exactly how I’m feeling. Please help me walk through this clearly and keep my heart focused on the joy of this Advent season. Keep my attention on what is most important. Even if there are things that don’t get done, it’s okay, as long as I remember the joy of what we celebrate. Thank you, Father.
THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON
1. Make time for God.
Even if it means getting up a little earlier than everyone else – just as Jesus did, find a quiet place, take a deep breath, and then let it out, slowly. Then begin. And at the end of every day, carve out a moment for your rest – and peace. (Mark 2:27)
2. Use free time wisely.
Turn off the phone and the TV. No social media. Don’t use never-ending scrolling to numb your brain. Instead, lean into the Lord. Jesus is our true rest. (Matthew 11:28-29)
3. Re-evaluate your priorities every morning.
Ensure your priorities are aligned with God’s will. Make your list – but make it reasonable and achievable. (Proverbs 3:6)
Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Krzysztof Gackowski
Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.
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