"I'm Just So Busy"

posted by Erin Davis on 05/13/10 | Twitter: @ErinGraffiti
Category: God; ; 29 comments

“I’m just so busy!” How many times have you heard that sentence this week? How many times have you said it yourself?

Lindsey’s posts about laziness got me thinking about my own time management. My problem isn’t doing too little; it’s doing too much. I keep adding and adding to an already full plate until nearly every moment of every day is scheduled.

Then, things start to slip.

I can’t read my Bible today. I’m just so busy.

I can’t exercise this morning. I’m just so busy.

I can’t nurture my relationships with friends and family the way I’d like to. I’m just so busy.

I’d really like to minister to others, but…I’m just so busy.

You get the point. I’m starting to see that many of us (myself included!) use business as a form of validation. It seems like we matter more when our calendars are jam packed with things to do. There is something important about having places to be and people to be with. But I think this is rooted in pride. Our value doesn’t come from anything we do. We matter to God because He is the Creator and we are His Creation. This is true even if our calendar isn’t busting at the seams.

I think the Lord understands our tendency to over schedule. This is why He urges us to have regular times of Sabbath.

Exodus 16:23 says, “He said to them, ‘This is what the Lord commanded: Tomorrow is to be a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.’”

The word Sabbath simply means “a time of rest.” When was the last time you left your schedule clear in order to rest?

The principle of a day of rest is nearly absent from our culture. If your week looks like mine, Sunday’s are among the busiest days of the week. Most of the time I’m “just too busy” on Sundays to rest and often my schedule is so full the day flies by without much attention given to my spiritual life at all.

Business isn’t wrong. It’s okay to be involved in sports and clubs and church. It’s great to schedule times to be with friends and family. But don’t let “I’m too busy!” become your mantra. Schedule the things that matter first. Be disciplined about taking time to rest (schedule it if you have to!) and take note that even when your calendar is clear, you matter a great deal to God.

Comments

HEY, GIRLS! We love hearing from you, but feel limited in the ways we can help. For one thing, we’re not trained counselors. If you’re seeking counsel, we encourage you to talk to your pastor or a godly woman in your life as they’ll know more details and can provide you with ongoing accountability and help. Also, the following comments do not necessarily reflect the views of Revive Our Hearts. We reserve the right to remove comments which might be unhelpful, unsuitable, or inappropriate.

Steph

yes.
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 9:25 am

"It seems like we matter more when our calendars are jam packed with things to do."

I can 100% agree with this statement - especially since my friends pressure me to be busier, and I feel so much more important and even cooler when I'm running from activity to activity. If I tell my friends "well, I just want to have a family night that night" or "get a little extra homework done," they would laugh in my face. "Why NOT jampack your schedule, Steph? Come on! If you don't have anything going that night, come out with us!"

Because THEN I go insane and I'm "too busy" for the important stuff! ;)

I totally agree with this.

Anonomous teen

WOWO THAT IS SO ME>
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 11:46 am

I am just like that. ALWAYS BUSY!! I mean I t feels like theres never any free time at all. THAnks Erin!>>>

JustJess

Horray for sick days!
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 12:12 pm

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" has pretty much become my motto, but I've been taking it to an extreme lately. My daily 'to-do' lists stretch on for pages which pretty much leaves me with one day (or a few hours) a week to be social and only reading my Bible way late at night or not at all - I should switch it with early in the morning to help me get going on my day. I know He can help me get through it all but I can also ask for help down here and actually get to enjoy my life a bit AND spend more time with Him. Great post!

Evelyn Gonzalez

Good post
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 1:17 pm

Everyday I always tell myself I'm to busy to read my bible. I wait until the end of the night where I'm in bed Half asleep and exsauhsted and I only read about 2 chapters and I'm passed out. I need to ask God to help me put him before everything.

By the way,

thanks for always posting blogs. They always help me through my daily struggles. Every blog has helped me to draw closer with God.

Megbug

Busyness
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 1:36 pm

I am frequently too busy to ready me bible, talk to friends, share the gospel and exercise with out having to worry about time, school, friends, or when my next trip is going to be. This summer I am working on scheduling better so I can have 2 jobs, work my horse, stay caught up with school, and most of all nurture my friendships and have time for God.
I had really let my relationship with God go after I got back from a mission trip in December. I was depressed when I got back so I kept giving myself things to do so I was always busy. My paster tracked me down because someone had told him that I was depressed. He showed me that I just needed to come to God and he would take care of my depression if I would take Time for Him! I am not so busy any more but I am totally content. I have gotten to know a lot of the younger girls in the youth group that I was pushing away when I was too busy and too depressed.
I now journal and read the Bible at night and am going to have God and I dates where I can be alone and just learn from God and his word.
Learning that other people have the same problems is inspiring to know that they have to correct them some way too. It makes it so much better for when I am trying to fix my problems or helping some one else with theirs. :)

Madison

Amen!
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 2:26 pm

I so needed to hear that! In fact, just before I read this I decided to cancel something I had going on this afternoon. I'm just running way to much and today I decided to take a break off of everything and just relax. Thanks for posting this! I needed to hear it.

God's Girl

woa!
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 4:09 pm

Erin,
your totally right! Our main focus should be on God and how to glorify him, not what we're doing. Life is a Gift from God! And I don't know how many times I've filled my schedule and only prayed when it was all over.God blessed us with this life, we owe it to him to use it glorify him.
- God's Girl

Bets

Re:
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 5:05 pm

This is perfect for me! I always say "Im too busy" especially because I had 4 AP's this year, leadership council, church, etc. It was reallly reallly hard for me to read my bible, nurture my friendships, etc.so I think that this blog helped me.

Sarah J

EXACTLY!!
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 5:28 pm

You're exactly right, Erin! This got me thinking about how I spend MY time. I kind of gave myself a quiz and shamefully, I think I might have failed...
I have often used the excuses of being too busy for the Bible, and other important things. I need to realize that God is interested in ME, therefore can't I take a little of my time to read His word and do what He wants me to do? Hmm... Yes, it's time to start!!!
Thank you Erin!
God bless,
Sarah

Sarah J

EXACTLY!!
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 5:29 pm

Melody

Re:
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 6:14 pm

I was telling my friend just last night that am so sick of always DOING THINGS. I so just want to rest and have some peace and quiet! This blog has helped me decide to say no to people!

Karla

Laziness :{
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 6:56 pm

I'm not the kind of girl who has a lot on her plate. My afternoons consist of babysitting (siblings), checking out the blog, chores, homework (if i have any), watching the christian channels, going to church (if there is any), and sometimes sleeping (pure laziness). Of course I also read the bible before I go to bed. But in proverbs it says we should be more like ants, because they always work. Soo what advise does the bible say, what advise has God given you about laziness. It would be great if you would be able to give me advise.

aero94

PRAISE!!!
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 8:14 pm

Hey girls!! I just wanted to praise God that my youth leaders wife had her baby yesterday number 7!!!! and please pray that mama and baby will continue to do well!!

LindseyV

Re:
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 8:28 pm

Thanks for also mentioning you still matter even if your calendar's clear. I have a reaally relaxed schedule lately and have been feeling like I should have more stuff to do. That will probably change in a few months though when I finish highschool!

monica

Re:
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 10:24 pm

Thanks for the post, Erin! It was really helpful. I know, I do always feel so lame if my weekends and evenings are not jampacked with things to do. I almost feel embarassed to tell someone that it's saturday night but I'm just staying at home and chillin'. but I know it's pride because it's that I don't want people to know that I don't have lots of friends. I think another reason why we girls and women are so busy is because we have a hard time saying "No". I know I often take on babysitting jobs or agree to run errands for people when I just have no time left and then I say, Yes, sweetly and then get bitter inside because I'm overtired and feel like I'm being used. I'm going to work on that but it's VERY scary for me to say no:)

Miss Anonymous

Being Busy
on Thursday, May 13, 2010 at 11:16 pm

Great post, Erin! I'll remember this one. sometimes I'm busy, and sometimes I'm not. I was in track this past season and I was really busy. Coach demanded alot of time from us. Practice, getting uniforms, meets... I barely even had enough time to do homework. so i was maxed out. but i still remembered to go to church and spend time with God on my own. and I have to admit, sometimes I think "I'm too busy, too sleepy, too exhausted to read the Bible." but then I reminded myself I have no excuse. I have to try to fit in God's Word into my every day life.

Brittany Lee

RE:
on Friday, May 14, 2010 at 8:52 am

Wow...this is exactly what I've been writing on the last few days...even weirder when the procrastination posts went out...I just finished writing on that too right before it...Are you guys reading my mind? lol. But this is very true Erin! :)

Nichole

Encouragement
on Friday, May 14, 2010 at 10:13 am

hey for those of you that have a hard time managing time with God this is what i do because i had this problem...

1. When you get up in the morning dont do anything else that will distract you from spending time with God
2. Spend a half hr praying and reading one chapter in Proverbs a day and one chapter in the old testement
3. You may be thinking i dont have time to do that well you may not like the answer i am about to give you but get up earlier in the morning before you have to get ready for school.

i hope this helps remember this..

Jesus 1st
Other 2nd
You 3rd

God Bless,
Nichole

Erin Davis

Suicide
on Friday, May 14, 2010 at 3:26 pm

Hey girls! We have had some requests to address the topic of suicide here on the blog. I haven't posted all of those comments but I want you to know that the subject is very much on our hearts.We want to address it well when we do address it so please be patient with us as we are talking/praying through it. Meanwhile, if this is something you are wrestling with, please seek out help in your own community. Talk to your parents. Talk to your pastor. Talk to a friend's mom. Reach out to someone. We love you!

Erin

ellen

to Nichole
on Friday, May 14, 2010 at 5:03 pm

thanks for your post, i lov your jesus 1st thing! what a great reminder! it is really imported to spend time with jesus! :)

just an ordinary girl

just no time!!!
on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 11:34 am

i know how it feels to have no time at all. right once i get home its homework, chores, then free time. but even then, we have family time. im one of those girls who dont complain much, but i think us girls have to take a stand and just say "i really need some alone time. can i please go to my room?" trust me its easier than it looks. you will be surprised how respectful your parents can be when you dont hide stuff like that from them.
-just an ordinary girl

Hannah

Time
on Saturday, May 15, 2010 at 10:13 pm

Thanks so much for this post! I know how it feels to have barely any time for God. Lately I've been in two softball teams, in a musical, still in school, taking piano lessons, and starting next month a basketball summer thing my coach has my team doing. So today I decided to drop out of my softball teams so I could have more time for my family, but mostly so I could spend more time with God. I havent had any time at all lately to read God's Word but now I'm trying to commit myself to make time for Him so that our relationship can grow and I can become a spiritualy strong christian lady.

Nicole

My First Time
on Monday, May 17, 2010 at 10:04 am

This is my first time ever being on this website and I am not sure how to blog or how to make one of those blog things. I did read the Lies Young Women Believe book though. That's what made me visit this website. It is nice to meet you and I am INTERESTED in getting to know each and every individual on here.

ellen

to Nicole
on Monday, May 17, 2010 at 11:45 am

Good to meet you to! this website is sooo encouraging. it is so cool that there are girls out there who lov the lord and their greatest desire is to be like jesus!!! :)

Countrygirl101

Nicole
on Monday, May 17, 2010 at 11:48 am

Hey chicka!! nice to meet you and welcome to our blog!!! I would like to get to know you asw well!! love ya my sister in chirst!

TallyKay

Same thing!
on Monday, May 17, 2010 at 6:13 pm

My dad is the pastor of my church and he just finished preaching on the Same Thing about rest and the sabbath day. i think God wants his people to start resting.
There are no words to describe how much closer to God i feel since i started having a quiet time with him!

Christle

Not too busy to talk with GOD
on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 10:53 am

I just try and remember that if I make time to talk to God, spend time in His Word then everything else will fall into place. It seems that when I don't make time for God, I'm rushing around all day to get everything else done and there isn't enough time in a day to do all of it. Make time for God daily and you will enjoy a peace like never before.

Megan E.

talking with God
on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 10:34 pm

I have figured out that the days that I don't spend with God, I am unhappy and something is different. The days that I do spend time with God and pray, shines a brand new light on my day.
God is very gracious to me to keep giving me more chances, even when I mess up.

Sydney

What if?
on Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 7:54 pm

I am a strong Christian or at least I want to be and wish and my parents think so, but I don't read the Bible very often. Am I as strong as I think i am???

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