Are you crazy busy like me?

Do you have piles of paper on your desk and a to-do list a mile long? Add household chores, family obligations, and weekly commitments, and we instantly become the busiest people on the planet.

I feel like I’m at the starting line of a marathon. The list of things I have to do fills my thoughts and the regular routine of my day is thrown off by a rush of adrenaline. There is no way I can keep the pace. Constantly checking the clock, I gauge how much leeway there is before I must get to the next thing on my list. (Am I making you anxious just reading this?)

Where is the peace which is to characterize our lives? How can we possibly hear the quiet voice of God in the midst of the noise of our busyness?

Whenever I have questions like these, I look to Jesus for answers.

• But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 ESV)

I must make seeking God and listening to his voice 1st priority, before anything else. The only way to un-clutter my life is to submit my relationships and activities to God and ask him to sort them out. He is the one who provided the people and opportunities in the first place. I can trust God with my life.

• And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he (Jesus) departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. (Mark 1:35 ESV)

I’m exhausted at the end of each day and fall asleep quickly. The only way for me to set aside time free of distraction is to wake up early. So, I set the alarm and get up while the rest of the house is asleep.

• But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. (Matthew 6:6 ESV)

After creeping up to the guest bedroom, I begin by praying for ears to hear and eyes to see what the Lord wants me to know. Then I read the Bible (God’s word) expectantly. I respond to what I’ve read, by thanking God who he is (loving, patient, good, sovereign, etc.) and for what I think he’s saying to me (love my neighbor, confess my sin, submit my will, forgive a trespass, etc.).

• Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV)

When I leave the quiet of my time with the Lord, I have a renewed sense of purpose for my life and for the day ahead. And as the activities and busyness of my life threatens to overwhelm me and steal my peace, I remember this verse and rejoice, pray, and give thanks!