Too Busy for Grace

“I Am Too Busy”
 
There is a trend in our current culture – we are too busy. I hear it so often that I fear it has become a badge of honor to some. There is something deep inside all of us that believes that we need to strive and earn God’s favor. This is legalism. But what I am also seeing too often is striving and trying to gain approval and favor from people. Simply put, this is the fear of man. We need to encourage each other to repent of this unbiblical motive of trying to impress people and present ourselves as spiritual wonder-women. Our busyness is often an effort to look spiritually strong and healthy, when in fact the opposite is true.
 
One of the most common topics in mentoring and counseling women is “busyness”. There is much that can be taught and said about this reality. We need to encourage others to prioritize, steward their time well, and to sometimes say “no”. Many women feel that they are too busy for …(fill in the blank!)
 
The one theme that I see all too often is what concerns me the most - women feel too busy for time in God’s Word. I hear it from women of all ages and all walks of life. College students, women who work outside the home, stay home moms, retirees; nobody is immune from this lifestyle of busyness.
 
“I Am Too Busy For Grace”
 
God’s Word is the last thing we should be neglecting! When you say “I am too busy for friends, family, church, and God’s Word” what you are really saying is “I am too busy for grace”! All of these things are powerful means of God’s grace. God’s Word is the priority means of grace for all of us but it is the one that is the most often neglected.
 
The Word of God enables us to grow and mature in the gospel as we see all that the narrative from Genesis to Revelation offers. God’s Word reveals His creation and it gives physical life. The power of the Word is so strong that He raised Lazarus from the dead by his powerful Word in John 11:43! The Word of God also gives spiritual life. “Faith comes by hearing through the word of Christ”, Romans 10:17. Without God’s Word, we would not have armor to be able to fight against the Devil, according to Ephesians 6:10-17. The Word is critical in spiritual warfare that rages all around us at all times.
 
What types of struggles do you have in life? In what ways do you need physical power and spiritual power? Depression, or anxiety? Relational conflict, or unforgiveness? Habitual sin, or victimization? God’s Word sufficiently addresses every single spiritual struggle we endure, no exceptions. When trials come, we can respond to them biblically only if we have been spending time getting to know God more in His Word. His Word is the primary way that He speaks to us. If we are neglecting the Word, we are unprepared for trials that will surely come.
 
Choose Grace
 
Taking time for Bible reading, study, memorization and considering what you have read takes intentionality. We tend to make time for what we really want to do in life. If you really want to make time, you will. Most of us waste plenty of time each day on entertainment, social media, and other less important things that could easily be set aside. We also have time as we are driving, resting, taking a break, which can be used to read or listen to an audio Bible. Be creative! Make the time, there really are very few valid excuses not to.
 
To enjoy and thrive in your walk with God, you will NEED to give time to His Word. If not, you do not stand a chance against the enemy, nor do you have a chance against sin and your flesh. To neglect it because you are too busy is to deny God’s most amazing gift of grace. This challenge to you to spend time in God’s Word is not some kind of legalistic to do list, it is actually LIFE to you. Pray that God would give you a hunger and thirst for it.
 
Getting Practical
 
Some people find a Bible Reading plan useful. If this kind of thing is hard for you to maintain, then simply purpose to spend a little time most days reading through a passage or book of your choosing. You will never regret time spent in God’s Word. Regardless what method, or lack of method you choose; there are some essential principles to keep in mind:
 

1. Read regularly and intentionally.
2. Pray. Pray that The Spirit would help you to understand what you read and to give you understanding. Pray that The Lord would help you to apply His Word to your heart.
3. Memorize Scripture.
4. Study what you are reading. Dig in to some inductive study, read good commentaries, work through a structured bible study book, there are many ways to enhance your bible reading.
5. ENJOY His Word! It is alive, and active! It is His means of grace to you!