A few days ago, I wrote about the idea that we wear our busyness as a badge of honor (read it here).  We are so busy with everything under the sun we don’t have time to share Jesus with other people.  What prompted that article was another article by another minister that was suggesting that we spend too much time studying the Bible.  I wholeheartedly disagree with the notion that we spend too much time studying God’s word.  I do think however, we don’t spend enough time living out what we study in scripture. 

I suggested that we maybe find some other things that we are involved in and figure out a way to take a step back so that we can use that new found time to build relationships with others.  That’s is going to be the most effective way to share Jesus and what He has done for you.  But, I also think that we need to find ways to get away from everything every so often.  Completely unplug, and spend some time one-on-one with God. 

Busyness is an epidemic.  We are constantly taking on more and more.  With the aid of technology, we have become great at multitasking, so much so that even when we are trying to unwind at the end of the day, watching tv, or whatever, we have our phones or tablets in our hands because we just can’t slow down.  I’m the worst at that.  Scrolling through Facebook or playing a game while trying to watch shows with my wife (she does it too). 

Busyness is an epidemic.

When people ask me how I’m doing, or how things are going, my go to response is something along the lines of “staying busy”.  Why?  Could it be that we are afraid if we aren’t so busy we seem to be running around “like a chicken with our head cut off” that others will think that we are slacking off?  Is it that we’re afraid that they will think that we aren’t putting enough effort into a task if we even appear to be able to relax?  It’s got to stop.  Especially in ministry.  Ministry is one of those vocations where there will always be more work to do.  That isn’t a ticket to slack off, but just a realization that we will never run out of things to do.

What ever happened to this simple notion; “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

There are times that we need to just stop, get still, and just know Him.  Rest in Him.  Relax in Him.  Spend time with Him.  I’m afraid we have forgotten that in our culture today.  I know that I have at times.  But it is something that we need to get back to on a regular basis.  It could be just for a few minutes each day, which is something that I would suggest.  But I think we could benefit from a greater chunk of time at times as well.

I want to point something out first.  This is something that we can see Jesus modeling for us during His three years of public ministry.  There are many occasions noted throughout the Gospels of Jesus going off on His own, usually up a mountain, and spending time with God.  If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to do this, then I think we have the same needs. 

While I strive to spend a few minutes alone with God daily, I want to take some extended periods of time as well.  I have something in mind too.  It involves going up a mountain, but it doesn’t have to for you.  Because of my relationship with Guadalupe Christian Camp (being on a couple of camp boards), I have the opportunity to spend time at the camp when/if I need to.  That’s my plan.  I don’t know how often yet, but occasionally I will pack a bag, get some easy to make food, and head up the mountain to spend some time being still and knowing that He is God.  I may write, I may read, I may do nothing but pray and meditate, but I will slow down and unplug from the world around. 

How are you going to “Be still, and know that He is God” in your own life?