My sister read me those words recently as she browsed through one of our dad's old books, a wealth in itself. He was a book lover, and he feasted on books written by the early saints of our faith, so he left a library of rich treasures, some of which we have, many went to a seminary.
Both of us kind of groaned at those words. Right off the bat I recognize that I fall into that description many times. It doesn't start that way, it may even start with the noblest of intent, but... in the DOING of good, I can get overly involved and fill every empty space with good things, and pretty soon... I feel barren.
See, it's not the good things in and of themselves, it's me.
I am energetic by nature, and I love a good worthy project, love the involvement and the giving and sharing end of it. I sometimes forget the initial plan, and get too carried away with making all the details happen. I even stumble across other 'good' things along the way, and add those to what I'm already doing. I'm not talking about multi-tasking, something we all do. I mean when we are on a mission to do something we know God has dropped into our lap, and we do our own version, in our own way.
How careful Jesus was as He walked among us during those days on earth. He ALWAYS spent time with the Father, time alone and apart, in the midst of a busy 33 years. He also never lost His focus. He was NEVER 'busy and barren'.
When 3 small words can make me say WHOA... there is a message for me, and I am listening.
11 comments:
Oh it's me for sure too...and I want to listen as well. Thanks for the encouraging words!
Good for you! Time to disentangle from the world's definition of Christmas and focus on Whom you know. Insightful words those...busy and barren.
so easy to get busy and barren, seems to happen without even noticing doesn't it? My biggest problem is staying on track, I have a tendency towards detours...(my way versus his way) this was a good reminder for me this afternoon
"Busy and barren"...
I'm beginning to think that the two go
hand in hand.
Appreciate the post.
THANKS
"Busy and barren"...
I'm beginning to think that the two go
hand in hand.
Appreciate the post.
THANKS
Oh my goodness - great, great message, Sonja. Kinda reminded me of when I put on my "Martha Shoes" and end up missing the really important things. Mary had her heart in the right place.
Busy and barren - I think I'm going to strive for focused and fruitful instead!!
GOD BLESS!
Message to me too. Awakening post. Thanks!
How wonderful that you have your dad's books. What a treasure! And those words "busy and barren". How true they are of so many of us today. I often find that my good causes me to be too busy for God's best!
May we all remember those words, especially as we go through this season of celebrating our Savior's birth.
Love,
Debbie
I have experienced it myself. I think it also happens when we misinterpret something as falling into OUR lap when it actually hasn't. I see that too often.
I've been trying very deliberately to push aside the world and all its busyness in order to spend time with the Father. It's been a rich time of closeness this Advent season. I pray you have many moments of enjoying the present of God's presence.
Love you, friend. Merry Christmas.
This has certainly been a "Season of Whoa" for me, Sonja. It began 2 years ago, and I'm still wondering what the Lord has in mind. But here's the deal ... I've definitely transitioned from the Indy 500 side of life to the Horse-n-buggy side. I actually kinda like it (heavy on the "kinda").
Blessings ...
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