Jesus Was Never Too Busy

Sunday, April 24, 2016 by Nicole 2 Comments

I’m busy.

I arrived home two nights ago from a two-day conference for church leaders in Ohio. Mom and Dad are driving from Kentucky today and staying a week … and my house is not exactly ready for the parental units. I’m in the final weeks of a year-long Bible study and leading three short-term studies this summer. I’m coordinating a group of unpaid servants for a community festival next month and a women’s retreat in September. I am mentoring a teenage girl going through confirmation and a woman who is new to The United Methodist Church and helping her navigate and read the Bible, a book she never owned until three weeks ago. Did I mention I’m also a wife and mother of a two-year-old?

Too often, I feel distracted and suffocated by my to-do list. And, more often than not, I am “too busy” with meaningless and mundane tasks. Please tell me I’m not alone here!

In our instantly gratifying and consumer-driven society, it’s easy to become distracted by the trendy and lose sight of what is eternal.

Despite the lack of technology and smartphones in Biblical times, Jesus still suffered disappointment, dealt with fear, anxiety, and stress, and he was tempted with worldly desires. But Jesus was never too busy to reconnect with his Father.

Jesus came to live among us on earth and speak the word of God because he is the Word of God (John 1:1). He provided us the perfect example of being in an intimate relationship with God by not only studying and sharing Scripture, but engaging in prayer, serving others, and, ultimately, sacrificing himself for those who believe he is Lord.

It is spiritually fatal to reach a level of busyness and become so distracted that we leave God completely out of our daily activities.

Have you ever considered Jesus’s ministry on earth and how he was never too busy to meet people where they were no matter what he was doing or who he was with?

• Jesus was never too busy to heal the sick … even a woman who simply believed she would be healed by touching the hem of her Savior’s shirt. (Luke 8:44)
• Jesus was never too busy to dine with friends … even though one of them would betray him. (Matthew 26:21)
• Jesus was never too busy to teach parables … even the chosen 12 had to pay the cost of discipleship. (Luke 14:25-33)
• Jesus was never too busy to go away and pray … even though friends, family, and strangers demanded his attention. (Mark 1:35)
• Jesus was never too busy to save … even while dying on the cross, He promised a robber a seat at God’s heavenly banquet. (Luke 23:32-43)

Amongst large crowds, constant interruptions, teaching and equipping the 12 disciples, mourning the death of a close friend, and celebrating miracles, Jesus always made time to connect with his Holy Father and minister to the sick, poor, and oppressed. His priorities were right: love God and love people — Jesus kept the main things the main things!

One of the most beautiful things about the resurrected Jesus is that he continues to seek us even when we are “too busy” to seek him.

So, dear friend, if it’s been a while since you’ve connected with God and his kingdom, I encourage you to make today a day of new beginnings.

• You don’t have to limit your worship to Sundays, read a devotional or listen to praise music.
• If it’s been a while since you’ve had a conversation with God, spend a few minutes in His presence and engage in some divine dialogue. I promise you, if you seek Him, you will find Him!
• If it’s been a while since you’ve opened your Bible, read one of the four Gospels. Or James. Or Ephesians. Or Jonah. Or Philippians. Or Ruth. Or 1 John.
• If it’s been a while since you’ve talked to a friend or mentor, send them a quick message or give them a call.
• If you’ve been absent from a small group for several weeks or months, make it a priority to attend the next gathering.
• If you can serve someone in need, don’t miss the opportunity!

If Jesus is our ultimate model for how we are to live life on earth, we cannot be “too busy” to follow His example.

Awesome and perfect God, settle our souls, quieten our minds, and restore peace to our hearts. Free us from the fast pace of this world and meaningless distractions that impede our view of you. We place our calendars and to-do lists in your offering plate. Help us distinguish the significant from the insignificant and keep the main thing the main thing: you. We pray that the next time we say “too busy” it is in the context of being in worship, prayer, study, relationship, and service to you and your kingdom.

Amen.