Our world has become so busy, and educators are some of the busiest people I know! It’s as though being busy has become a badge of honor. The busier we are, the more important we appear to be. While there is nothing wrong with being busy, if we are not careful, busyness can distract us and turn our focus away from God’s purpose for our lives.
Let me ask you a couple of questions. Have you ever spent time with God in the morning, but once you entered the school building completely forgot the message He placed on your heart? Have you ever gone an entire day (or half-day) without praying, reflecting on God’s Word, or pondering spiritual matters? If we are honest, all of us could say this has happened. While there may be a variety of reasons we get derailed from spiritual matters, I fear busyness is often to blame.
All of us could probably do some prioritizing and become less busy. This is something I am still working on and will probably never master this side of heaven, but I really want to try! God has been filling my mind this week with many thoughts, strategies, and Scriptures. I’m excited to share, and I hope some of these ideas will resonate with you.
1. ESTABLISH A DAILY ROUTINE.
Getting in a routine always helps me be consistent. It doesn’t come easy, and I have to be purposeful and disciplined. I have learned that when I sacrifice my time with the Lord, it always negatively influences my thoughts and actions.
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 59:16
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8
2. FOCUS ON TODAY.
Every day matters. Sometimes I lose sight of the importance of creating focus just for today. It is easy to think about the past or future and fail to realize that what we do each and every day makes a difference. Here are a few thoughts God laid on my heart this week during a long walk.
· Be content with where God has placed me and what He is doing in my life.
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:11b-12
· Focus my thoughts on what is going well and what is good.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
· Guard my words.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable and pleasing to you, oh Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
· Let go of worry.
So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:34
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6
· Have a joyful heart.
But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. Psalm 146:5
Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4
3. LISTEN AND RESPOND.
God can help us prioritize the busyness of life. We just have to be alert, listen, and then respond to His prompting. As educators, we are not only navigating people (parents, students, supervisors), but also juggling meetings, extra-curricular activities, and constant change. As Christians, we must remain alert, focused, and attentive to God’s direction in all things. If we do not, we will become distracted by the great deceiver.
And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father. Galatians 4:6
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. I Peter 5:8
Overcoming busyness boils down to the issue of priorities. There will always be things to do, places to go, and people to see. What will we be busy about? What will be our priorities?
· We can prioritize if we establish a routine and make spending time with God of greatest importance.
· We can prioritize if we focus on today. What does God want you to be busy about today?
· We can prioritize if we remain alert to God’s voice and respond to his calling.
Have a wonderfully busy week!
Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both. Ecclesiastes 11:6