ARE YOU TOO BUSY?

BUSYNESS OR FRUITFULNESS? That is the question. It is easy to be involved in many different efforts and good causes, but the truth is busyness does not guarantee fruitfulness. It also does not confirm that we are in God's will. It is the quality of what our lives produce that determines whether we are truly fruitful. Is your life full of meaningful accom-plishments or just busy activities? Jesus said that He chose us so that we would bear much fruit (John 15:16). One good way to help determine if you are being fruitful or just busy is by asking yourself some questions, such as: ¦ Am I spending my time doing what helps fulfil my life's purpose? ¦ Am I doing what I really desire to do? ¦ Am I using my God-given gifts and talents? ¦ Am I being controlled and pressured by circumstances and expectations of others? ¦ Do I see tangible results - good fruit - from my busyness? If you and I want to be fruitful, we need to make spending time with Jesus our number one priority. THE SOURCE OF FRUITFULNESS Being fruitful begins with putting God first. As we spend time with Him, He will direct us and give us peace about what we should be doing. Jesus said, "I am the Vine, you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing" (John 15:5). In Luke 10:38-42, we read the story of Martha and Mary. Martha was very busy serving, even serving Jesus. She got angry because her sister sat at Jesus' feet listening to Him talk instead of being busy helping her serve. Jesus' response to Martha was that Mary had chosen the best thing to do at that time - sit and listen to Him. Years ago, I was constantly busy like Martha, and eventually it had a bad effect on my relationship with God and others - especially with my husband. I didn't know how to relax and have fun, so it made me very angry when others did! I had to learn not only how to enjoy life, but also to make enjoying time with God the most important thing in my life! GOOD VERSUS BEST I believe that Satan uses the pressure of busyness to keep us from fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. In many cases, we become distracted by things that are good, even "Christian activities", but are not God's best for us. We can get so busy we don't even recognize the things we should be doing that is really important. In order for you and me to avoid this trap, we need to "learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences]" (Philippians 1:10). We need to look to God and ask Him to give us the grace to make wise choices concerning the things we should or shouldn't be doing. ARE YOU ENJOYING YOUR LIFE? One Biblical way for us to know if we are bearing good fruit is to examine the actual fruit our lives are producing. If we are in God's will, following His Spirit, we will produce the fruit of His Spirit - "love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithful-ness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). Another way you and I can know we are being fruitful, is that we will have a sense of accomplishment rather than frustration. I spent many years being out of balance - busy but not fruitful, under pressure and frustrated. Thankfully, God has taught me how to live a balanced life. As you and I learn to direct our time and energy toward the things God has given us to do, we will enjoy our lives more and experience a true sense of accomplishment that only comes from being fruitful. If you really want to know if you are operating in the fruit of God's Spirit, ask a trusted friend or family member what kind of things they see operating in you. DESTINED TO BEAR FRUIT God's plan for you is to fulfil your destiny, which is to bear much fruit. But if you are too busy to spend time with God and the people around you, you are TOO BUSY! That's when you need to seek God for the grace and wisdom to make the needed changes in your life. He will help you make wise decisions each day and set your priorities right - BEGINNING WITH THE PRIORITY OF SPENDING TIME WITH HIM. As you learn to keep God first and exercise Godly wisdom in decision-making, you will bear much fruit and glorify your Father in Heaven. [From: Be Your Best, Joyce Meyer, 2008]