One key danger facing Christians today is that they can become so busy that they lose their spiritual focus. As the pace of society hastens, busyness can be a real danger to spiritual growth!
Jesus Christ gave this warning to the last generation leading up to His second coming: "And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, 'These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot'" (Revelation 3:14-15).
Even many Christians, just before Christ's return will be in a condition of profound complacency. They may not be "out in the world" in rebellion against Him, but neither will they be on fire for Him and His Work! They will just be too busy with other concerns. Cares of the world will crowd out their relationship with God. "So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth" (v. 16).
We make time for God when we deeply sense our need for Him. But sometimes we may become so busy that we do not study, do not pray, and do not think about our future. We need to make a living, we need to go to work, we need to take care of our family and our needs—but do these concerns become the focus of our lives? As someone once said, "Don't confuse busy-ness with growth." Are you growing, or are you just busy?
Notice this July 30, 2007 report, "Christians Worldwide Too Busy for God," offered by author Audrey Barrick at www.christianpost.com: "Christians worldwide are simply becoming too busy for God, a newly released five-year study revealed. In data collected from over 20,000 Christians with ages ranging from 15 to 88 across 139 countries, The Obstacles to Growth Survey found that on average, more than 4 in 10 Christians around the world say they 'often' or 'always' rush from task to task… The busy life was found to be a distraction from God among Christians around the globe… About 6 in 10 Christians say that it's 'often' or 'always' true that 'the busyness of life gets in the way of developing my relationship with God….'
"While the study does not explain why Christians are so busy and distracted, Zigarelli [the author of the study] described the problem among Christians as 'a vicious cycle' prompted by cultural conformity. '[I]t may be the case that (1) Christians are assimilating to a culture of busyness, hurry and overload, which leads to (2) God becoming more marginalized in Christians' lives, which leads to (3) a deteriorating relationship with God, which leads to (4) Christians becoming even more vulnerable to adopting secular assumptions about how to live, which leads to (5) more conformity to a culture of busyness, hurry and overload. And then the cycle begins again.'"
As true Christians, we must consciously fight against this culture of hyper-busyness, to keep our focus and spend the time we need on preparing for the Kingdom of God. In the parable of the sower, Jesus warned: "Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world [or the "worries of this life", or the "anxieties of this age" as it is sometimes translated], the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful" (Mark 4:18–19).
Are you going to be a busyness casualty? Remember what is important in your life! If God has opened your mind to His awesome Truth, and called you out of this world of chaos and confusion, be grateful! Grow, and become involved in God's Work. Never let busyness sidetrack you from fulfilling your ultimate destiny.
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The above is adapted from one of the many commentaries, discussing vital topics facing our world, available at the www.lcg.org and www.tomorrowsworld.org Web sites.