Chambers talks today about the curse of busyness on our walk with God. Even the busyness of doing good things, even things in the name of God.
That is easy for me to see. I like to be busy, and I like to be busy in good things, things that help the church or the church people. Sometimes I think it is my own personal pride in doing things that others will call "good", but most of the time I just enjoy being busy in the place where God is working.
My primary places of service are in our church and in the prison. Both are very satisfying, and I feel that they are worthwhile in God's Kingdom.
But as I try to apply Chambers reading today to these areas of busy service, I am struck by what this busyness can take the place of, or worse yet, conceal.
My most glaring deficiency is in person time with God. Whether this is in worship or personal study and prayer, this is an area that needs to claim more of my attention. Without this personal relational time my service loses the power that is needed to be effective for Him. Sometimes I am only serving myself rather than God.
A second reason for busyness is to conceal an inner need for self reflection. I'm just too busy doing good to confront my motives for all of this. Maybe I know deep down that I am woefully short on the personal aspect of knowing God and try to cover this with work.
The two thoughts go right together. I realize that I desperately need that personal relationship with the One I serve, and I need to seek that continually. Only then will I have the right motives for service, and I won't have to worry about trying to conceal my shortcomings in this area.
And my production of hay and stubble will diminish.
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