Are you overly-busy, bored or balanced in life?

In today’s lesson there are two extremes that we as believers must guard ourselves against. Overly-busy and boredom.

Overly-Busy
God designed us to be a busy people. In fact, He tells us to look to the ant as an example of what it looks like to remain busy (Proverbs 6:6-11). But keep in mind that He didn’t intend for our busy-ness to result in ignoring family (1 Timothy 5:8), or ignoring the spiritual needs of others (Acts 6:1; 1 Corinthians 11:33), or ignoring the Lord Himself (Luke 10:38-42). Becoming overly-busy always leads to unnecessary high stress levels, being distracted, loss of purpose/meaning/direction, seeking to fulfill selfish ambitions, and regret of missing the big picture / what’s most important in life. On the other hand, some choose the extreme opposite of overly-busy, which is boredom.

Boredom
This extreme has its own issues. The Book of Proverbs provides multiple examples of what it looks like to be someone who is considered a SLUGGARD or LAZY…which leads to differing levels of boredom. Being bored and lazy can indeed lead to much self-destruction. What we know, and at times observe, is that oftentimes when someone is lazy or bored their mind runs as fast as it can to unprofitable thoughts and actions – such as cheating, lusting (fulfilling the lust of the flesh or the lust for materialism/unnecessary and unaffordable purchases), uncleanliness, oversleeping, and possibly hatred towards others or self. This list could go on and on, right?

So what is the balance?
God doesn’t want us to live in a state of being bored, and He also doesn’t want us to be so busy that we lose sight of what’s most important in life. Rather, in Philippians 4:8 below, we are encouraged to think and act on multiple things. Notice how often the word things is used, and notice that it’s a plural word. A busy word. A word that will keep our mind and actions busy in ways in which God intended and desires. Take some time to meditate on THESE THINGS today, and ask the Lord to reveal to you what change needs to be made in your mind and life at this time. Remember, what you meditate or allow your mind to think on, is often what you will act on (James 1:15). Therefore, “we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5b (NIV).

Philippians 4:8 (NKJV) Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Practicing His Presence,
Nate