I’m So Busy!

I sometimes unwittingly use the excuse, “I’m so busy” to put off a meeting with someone, get out of doing something for someone, or to get back to my work rather than focus on the needs of others.

When someone says to me, “I’m so busy!”, I usually feel belittled or alienated as though my own ‘busy’ isn’t busy enough, or their ‘busy’ is more important than my ‘busy’.

Jesus, who is our example, was never too busy for people.

One busy time in Jesus’ ministry, a man with leprosy came to him and said, “If you are willing, you can make me clean” (Mark 1:40). Jesus, who was about his Father’s business traveling throughout Galilee preaching and teaching, did not say he was too busy. In fact, he indignantly said, “I am willing.” And he took time to heal the man.

Those words, “I am willing” have touched my heart. 

They have flown like an arrow straight into my prideful place. 

The God of heaven, who became a man so that we could understand his love for us, was willing to take time with each and every person who asked him.

He never said he was too busy.

He never belittled others by saying, “I’m so busy.”  

In Philippians 2, we learn that he did not regard equality with God as something to be used to his advantage; rather he left the glories of heaven, took on the form of a human, and become a servant – for you and me. Even though he was God in the flesh, he was never caught up in his enormity or authority. His greatest blessing was bringing glory to his father by developing relationships with others.

As I reflect on my responses to others in the midst of busyness, I fear I am often prideful, caught up in my own busyness and often unwilling (sometimes resentful) to give up a little time to stop and listen to someone else. 

God has been prompting me to rethink these responses and change my actions in those situations to bring glory to God by being Jesus to others.

Philippians 1:7 says, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” 

I believe God is saying to me, “Lay down your busyness; open your heart and hands to me – for the sake of building relationships with others.”

I am willing, Lord Jesus. Use me for your honor and glory, I pray.