Busyness may be Satan’s greatest temptation for modern Americans. One of my favorite books is CS Lewis’ Screwtape Letters. In this book, two demons strategize how to derail the life of their “patient” (a new Christian) and set him on a path of destruction. Busyness is a big part of that strategy.
There is a similar “Screwtape” type story I came across. In this story, Satan is addressing his legion of demons. The author of this story is unknown. But it highlights well the danger of busyness.
“Keep them busy in the nonessentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds, “he answered. “Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow. Persuade them to work for long hours, to work 6 – 7 days a week, 10 – 12 hours a day, so they can afford their lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their family fragments, soon, their home will offer no escape from the pressures of work.”
“Over stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still small voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive. To keep the TV, VCR CDs and their PCs going constantly in their homes. And see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ.”
“Fill the coffee table with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, sweepstakes, mail order catalogues, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products, services, and false hopes.”
“Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted, disquieted, and unprepared for the coming week. Don’t let them go out in nature to reflect on God’s wonders. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts and movies instead.”
And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotion.”
“Let them be involved in soul-winning. But crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Christ. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.”
It was quite a convention in the end. And the evil angels went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busy, busy, busy and rush here and there.
This story was written before the advent of the internet and social media. Our world has grown even busier. We see people overwhelmed by life. It all seems like too much for so many. And that is because, having taken on so much, it is.
We have chosen busyness. It doesn’t have to be that way. It may seem like you can’t say no. But you do have the power.
There is what is urgent and there is what is important. Martha was concerned with all the preparations and chores that needed to be attended to for their guest. All those preparations were urgent. How could she not see to them? Who would take care of them if she did not?
Jesus says to Martha, “you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.” We tend to focus on all the things that are urgent in our minds. But what is important is not always urgent. And just because something is urgent does not automatically make it important.
Spending time with God is rarely urgent. But there is nothing more important that we can do. It may seem like a “waste” of time with all the urgent things we have to do. But maybe if we took more time to spend with God we would realize that many of the things we have made to be urgent are not as necessary as we thought.
God has a way of multiplying our minutes and making us more productive. It’s because the Holy Spirit gives us sharper insight into what we ought to prioritize. Abraham Lincoln was quoted as saying:
“If I only had an hour to chop down a tree, I would spend the first 45 minutes sharpening my axe.”
What Lincoln points out is that it is urgent to chop down the tree, but it is important to sharpen the ax. Prioritize the important and God will help you take care of the urgent.
Lynn Omeara says
My. Did I need this. Caught me right where I have been living — in a whirlwind of to-do lists and,yes, a frenzy of busyness. Thanks for a centering message I promise to read and reread, then commit to using to simplify my life and glorify thenLord.
Gloria Caviglia says
Wow. Powerful and necessary. Thank you Pastor Phil, you and your daily emails are my soothing balm.
Suzi B says
The Episcopal church as a weekend for high school kids called Happening. Modeled after Cursillo, it’s a weekend of large group talks, small group activities, and skits. One of the skits on Saturday afternoon—possibly the skit that really addressed issues that these kids confront in their lives—discussed busyness. I was a mom at Happening (having attended as an adult in the Geritol group) and I realized how busyness could get in the way of finding real meaning in life. Thanks for this reminder today.
Dianne says
You nailed it!!! Thank you