Are we too busy?

It is good to be busy! But it is dangerous to be too busy! Or too lazy to be busy!

Before we entered retirement, we thought of a lot of things we would like to do in retirement. But more than fifteen years have passed, there are still some things we had planned to do, but never got round to do it. Too busy.

We must never be too busy to have time for God.  For us this means getting up early - normally at 5.00 a.m. and on Thursdays at 4.30 a.m. This give us time to have communion with God.

Sometimes, perhaps often we are too busy to listen! We are usually more eager to to tell people what is in our mind, yes what we think, what we have done and are going to do and fail to listen to what others have  to say. There are many people who prefer a monologue than dialogue.

Even in prayer we fail to listen. We are so eager or anxious to tell the Lord what we want than to hear what He has to tell us. Samuel heard the voice of God and said, at the advice of Eli the priest, to say, "Speak Lord for your servant hears." And the Lord spoke to young Samuel.

For some of us we have the tendency to say to the Lord, "Hear Lord, for Your servant speaks."

Many people today are too busy earning a living than living to live. There are so many things we want to have. Things cost money and we need more money than ever before. So we find ways and means to acquire more material wealth to have time for God, family and friends or others.

We were in Peacehaven today. We did chapel service at Level 1, then my wife concentrated on folk at Grace Corner, where many wanted to talk to her. I went to the rest of the Living Areas on Level 1 and 3 and completed by rounds by 12 noon. Some were asleep, so I must have talked with about 85% of the residents on these two floors.

Then it was lunch time and we were seated in a round table with some of the staff and enjoyed a lovely Chinese New Year meal.

Let us never be too busy to pray with people who need our prayers. Of course we have to be sensitive and selective as there are people with other faiths. But there are residents and staff who are pleased we prayed with them.

We came home later than usual, but it has been a worthwhile day. We are tired but happy in the Lord.
The joy of the Lord is your strength.