Yesterday marked the end of the school year. Hooray! While it was a great year, it was also the busiest year I think I have ever had. All the things I did were good, they were fun, fulfilling. But there were just too many of them. I learned that there really can be too much of a good thing. Being busy can be dangerous.
Being too busy prevents me from enjoying the moments as they come. Because this year was a constant rush from one event to another, one deadline to another, one activity to another, even one ministry to another, I felt like I was racing through everything. I spent my time planning for what was next instead of enjoying what was.
Being too busy creates stress. Because I was constantly rushing from one thing to the next, I was also constantly stressed. I was worried I”d miss a deadline, be late to an appointment, disappoint one of the hundred people who had expectations of me that I was sure I couldn’t meet.
Bring too busy inhibits my ability to do my best. I can’t do 20 things well. I take shortcuts, rush through assignments, neglect relationships. I am too divided to give my whole self to any one project, and as a result, everyone loses out.
Being too busy hinders my relationship with God. While I had my time with God every day (most days), I had neither the quality nor quantity of time that I really need. Far too often, He became one of the “Things to Do Today” boxes I needed to check off my list instead of being my Savior who I want, more than anything, to be with and learn from and worship.
So it is time to rest. It is time to say no. It is time to be still.
