|
|
|
"They're too busy for . . . " Jason Barr
If you are reading this article today (Sunday) you have probably been to church services. While there you most likely participated in worship consisting of communication with other Christians in prayer and song, directing that worship towards our Father in heaven. In doing so, did you portray an image to those around you of being too busy for them? You probably did not wake up this morning and say to yourself, “I’m going to tell everyone that I am too busy for them.” However, you likely asked people how they were doing and then did not stick around for the answer. Perhaps you had every intention of speaking to a particular person or sharing news with someone specific but neglected to do that too. Everyone is too busy! Dads are busy with work. Moms are busy with the home and family. Kids are busy with school and sports. This being too busy should not keep us from one another, but sometimes being busy is not always bad. We are told that idleness leads to sin (1 Timothy 5:13). Romans 15:3 calls attention to how Jesus busied Himself pleasing others. The challenge is to find the balance in our schedules as we “run the race” and serve one another. Christ set the standard for our thoughts and motives. In everything He did, from washing the disciples’ feet to dying for us on the cross, He showed love and concern. Paul taught, “So we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another” (Romans 12:5). Based on this fact, he commands that we should “be devoted to one another in brotherly love” (12:10). We are taught not to be so personally consumed that we neglect our responsibilities of caring, teaching and exhorting one another. Only when we understand this can we fully serve others as we should. The denial of self has always been a problem for man. It was the problem in the Garden of Eden and since that time Satan stands poised, as a roaring lion ready to overwhelm us with the things that will prevent us from growing stronger and encouraging others. Jesus said, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me” (Mark 8:34). Once we fully commit our lives to the service of our Lord we will understand the importance of denying those things that separate us from Him and from His children. |
