How’s it going? Crazy busy! 

Yep, I’ve said it.  You probably have, too.  It’s the first thing that pops out of our mouths, even when it is not true.

What do you mean it’s not true, blogger boy!  Maybe you are not crazy busy, but I sure am!

I have a theory.  It’s not research-based; it is observational.  If we are all as busy as we claim to be, we would be dropping like flies.  The problem is that we truly are so busy much of the time that we let busyness define us all of the time.  As a result, we ignore and minimize the opportunities we have for renewal and recharging.

We truly ARE so busy MUCH of the time that we let busyness DEFINE us ALL of the time. Click To Tweet

Here’s some research for you.  According to a recent post by Michael Hyatt

We spend a lot of time online.  The average adult spends 20 hours online per week, including time at work.  All of us together send over 200 emails per minute.  Almost 5 billion videos are viewed on Youtube every single day with the average person watching 40 minutes worth.

We spend a lot of time working and going to work.  The average work week is closer to 50 hours than 40.  Unless you use a smartphone for work.  In that case, you are likely to work closer to 70 hours per week. The average round trip commute to work is 47 minutes. 70% of American workers have experienced stress related illnesses. 34% of them think they will burn out on the job within the next two years.

We are tired.  An estimated 50-70 million adults have some sort of sleep disorder.  Most adults need a minimum of 7 hours of sleep per night for maximum effectiveness.  1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep.

Our to-do lists are too long. 41% of items on our to-do lists never get accomplished.

Here’s some more research.  According to a recent article from the Harvard Business School, having no life is now considered a status symbol.  Bragging about busyness is often an attempt to prove how valuable we are.  It’s almost like saying, “If I were not around, nothing would ever get done.”  One author has coined the term “Humblebrag” to define a veiled boast hidden within a complaint.  Researchers found that 1 in 10 social media posts by celebrities mentioned how busy they are.

You see, it’s a double-edged sword.  We really are too busy, but we embrace busy as our identity because we think we have to prove our worth by our busyness.  We measure our lives by what we accomplish.  We even try to prove our worth to God by doing as much as we can for Him.

What if there were a better way?

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10). Some translations say, “Be still and know that I am God.”

“O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” (Psalm 34:8)

Neither of these verses excuse laziness (something the Bible never condones).  They call for deliberate cessation of activity for the sake of renewal. They call for finding our identity in relationship with God, not activity for God.

God created the world with a certain rhythm of light and dark, work and rest, doing and being.  If we are fighting against that rhythm, we shouldn’t brag about it, nor should we be seeking pity.

I’m as busy as I choose to be. Pray that I’ll make good choices.  I’ll do the same for you.

About

Just an ordinary guy living an amazing life. Amazed by God and joining Him in His amazing activity in the world. Seeking the flourishing of fellow travelers. Author, Blogger, Speaker, Singer, CoachSultant, Husband, Dad, Grandpa.