Daily devotional, Oct 20, 2023 Unbusy for Christ
"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Romans 8:2
Today’s default mode is busy. For some reason, today’s culture glorifies busy-ness that when one is not in that state, he or she feels unimportant. While we, Christians are being encouraged to be busy with our own lives and work for our own living (1 Thessalonians 4:11), we are dissuaded from wearing our bodies out to attain worldly pursuits.
Proverbs chapter seven warned of the woman who cannot stay still: “She is loud and wayward; her feet do not stay at home; now in the street, now in the market, and at every corner she lies in wait,” Proverbs 7:11-12.
The bible is also discouraging too much toiling in exchange for worldly treasures. The Gospel of Luke quoted our Lord and Savior’s assurance: “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!” (Luke 12:27-28).
At the same breath, the author of Psalm 37 urged everyone to be still, and keep from coveting the gains of the ungodly: “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” (Psalm 37:7)
While we are being lured by the world to keep focusing on worldly goals, our Christianity calls us to prioritize pursuits that bring us closer to the Lord. Growing in Christ-likeness and serving others are things we should be busy about: “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:17)
We also have to learn to rest. We should intentionally rest our bodies, minds and spirits so that we can always be ready to follow God’s will. He ordains time of rest for us and we should honor that by setting apart a day for worship and downtime. He asks us to unburden ourselves of unnecessary things that take up our time, our bandwidth and our energy: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
At the end of the day, we owe it to our God to unbusy ourselves for Him. So that we can pursue Him more, recharge our souls and spirits so that we can be more like Him.
The anxieties of a busy life is not something the Lord wants for us. He wants us to have His peace, and we can only attain that by seeking Him in always, and in all ways. In the Gospel of Matthew, our Savior Jesus Christ Himself calmed anxieties as he reminded people to prioritize seeking Him above all things: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble,” (Matthew 6:33-34).
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Luke 10:38-42 and Romans 12:2 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Are you to busy to grow in Christ likenesss? What changes can you implement in your life so that you can be unbusy for the Lord?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, I praise and thank you for calling me to be still and wait for you. You know what is best for me, and that I should cease pursuing worldly things that take me far away from you. Allow me to fully trust and surrender my life to you so I could grow in Christ-likeness, and shine your light to others. Amen.
