Sorry God But I Am Busy
I haven’t written for a while as I have been extremely busy. The world calls it a good kind of busy but that is not the way I feel about it right now. Being busy with worldly things can creep upon you without your realization until it becomes a big problem. That is where I find myself and am looking for the right solution. The title to this post is what many of us are telling God by where and how we spend our time.
The problem of busyness is not going to go away by my just wishing it would. I am going to get a little personal here to make my point and elicit thoughtful responses. Maybe someone has dealt with this issue and can give me a word of wisdom or a lesson they have learned from God. My new problem is very common amongst many Christians, I have noticed it in others and have written about in the past. But now I find myself being pulled into the middle of the very same problem. What is the problem many Christians have?
They are too busy for God
Maybe I am being a bit harsh, it’s not like I or others have forgotten about God. We think of Him and know what to do, we just are not doing it. I simply don’t have the quality time I once had to prayerfully reflect upon key issues of life, read my Bible and minister and evangelize to others. The homeless guys I have befriended rarely see me any more and we don’t converse on the phone like we did. I miss those moments, I felt real peace and have seen the work of God in those moments. It takes time and prioritization of ones day to make the time to do these things. It was all going along so well for me but then bam!!! — the world and its worries came a knocking on my door.
It is only by the grace of God that I am at least aware of the problem. Acknowledgement of a problem is the first step to solving a problem. Ignorance is not bliss. It is my fault, I can’t blame the devil. It is I who have let my peace be stolen (for the moment). I am counting on God to show me the way out and recalibrate how I balance work with the rest of my life.
The world and our lives are getting busier and more crowded. Some of you have not lost focus on Jesus, despite many tests from the enemy to lead you astray. You are the examples for the rest of us and we/I need your edification to help stay on the course. Many of us have allowed worldly things to consume our time, energies and focus. This is a very dangerous place to tread as if we are not careful our hearts can be turned back into the world; or the fact God never had our whole heart will become manifest as the real truth. I have travelled so much and have been so busy in the past month, the only time I have read my bible is flying to/from Australia. That in and by itself isn’t the issue, it is just a symptom of the problem. The 16 hour work days don’t allow much time to expressly pray, although I am lifting up prayers here and there under my breath all day long.
Here are a couple of strong passages that should give all of us reasons to examine ourselves and reflect upon where is our focus in these last days?
James 4:4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him
We are in the world but not of the world if we are in Christ. But many love the world and being a Christian is simply a label that once you look beyond you see no difference in thoughts, deeds and actions. There is a saying, I don’t know who said it, that I feel is very apropos to describe my point.
“We become the average of who we hang out with”
This secular expression reminds me of how important God’s call was to come out and be separate with the ungodly and unbelieving. Being worldly and being in the will of God is an oxymoron. You can’t be both places at once. In the business world, I am hanging out with some less than godly people. I cringe at things that are said and the manipulation of truth that seems so engrained into the business world.
I am not writing as someone who has mastered this issue. I am struggling trying to find balance of my faith with work. Previously, when I did not know God, I was a slave to my work. I was very successful and earned the respect of men and the rewards of the world. Yet I found out eventually that I had nothing and was really a poor miserable wretch despite what the world thought. I have slowly been pulled back into this world.
I am heavily conflicted about it and I am seeking God’s wisdom on what to do about it. I run a small and growing business. Anyone who knows anything about running a business knows you can’t be successful working 8 hours a day, particularly in these tough economic conditions. I am particularly bothered by the virtual prohibition of mixing the things of the LORD in with business. Expressly taking the gospel into the business world is not a ticket to success but instead brings about condemnation and persecution by the wicked, which defines the vast majority of people. One might just offend somebody if you speak about the Lord, and that is not good for business. In my old business I was advised once to stop sending Merry Christmas cards out to clients and instead send Happy Holiday cards. I will save the debate over Christmas and its pagan roots for later, that issue to me is noise. But Lord have mercy on us business people.
We absolutely have an obligation to take care of ourselves and our families and that means we will have to work. But there comes a point where work becomes our god and our primary focus and our ministry for Christ will suffer. We Christians are in the world but not of the world. Jesus prayed not that we would be taken from the world but that we would be protected. True followers (disciples) of Christ are sent into the world to do the works that Jesus did.
John 17:15 – My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
The LORD wanted us here in the world executing His great commission which was to go to all nations and teach them the true gospel of obedience to His commandments. I have been doing that but have been subtly pulled away and back into a business mode. I fear the consequences of going back into that mode of living. I am not going to let it happen by the grace of God. What is a man to do. I am struggling whether or not to close down the “shop” and walk away.
Spurning God’s Invitation
Jesus told us a great parable about a dinner and the invitees who were just to busy to come to Him. This was written for us today to hear and understand the truth.
Luke 14:16-20 But He said to him, “A man was giving a big dinner, and he invited many; 17and at the dinner hour he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come; for everything is ready now.’ ”But they all alike began to make excuses. The first one said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of land and I need to go out and look at it; please consider me excused.’ ”Another one said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please consider me excused.’ ”Another one said, ‘I have married a wife, and for that reason I cannot come.’
Excuses, excuses, excuses. That is what weighs on my mind now. How many Christians are in a spot like me, even much worse, where their careers, investments and business pursuits push Jesus down to second position or worse? In the parallel account of this parable in Matthew we see the same old “business” excuses.
Matthew 22:5 “But they paid no attention and went their way, one to his own farm, another to his business, and the rest seized his slaves and mistreated them and killed them.
When we allow our minds and hearts to turn to other things besides walking with God, we are following other voices that will lead us off the narrow path. We must be careful and guard our hearts with all due care. I have learned first hand how easy it is to led astray by deceit and rationalization that comes from the enemy and is spoken by seemingly smart people. God was speaking to me about this issue and problem for some time. But I have been stubborn and have not listened. Something is going to change. We must never forget the fear of God which is the foundation of all godly wisdom. What happened to those that spurned the invitation? Jesus told us in this wedding banquet parable.
Matthew 22:7 “But the king was enraged, and he sent his armies and destroyed those murderers and set their city on fire.
The powers of darkness will ultimately destroy everyone who spurns the call of God. Jesus told us all to pray that we would be able to stand before Him on the great day that is coming soon. None of us can open doors God has shut and none of us can shut doors God has opened. As I recently wrote about, God is a constant tester of our hearts. He puts us in situations to see how we respond and whether or not we show our faith and expressed love for Him to be true. I am praying for wisdom on this matter.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
I have privately shared my struggles with a few of you and I appreciate the encouragement. I am being called to do something, my spirit is yearning. Something needs to give. I think that something is to get out of business and do what God wants me to do instead. The world and everyone that knows me is going to think it pure idiocy if I do such a thing. This may well be my key pivot point in my walk with God. Am I going to trust Him or am I going to follow the ways of the world? I want to get it right by God’s standard, so I am hanging out my spiritual fleece like Gideon did in the Book of Judges and I am asking God to give me a sign of confirmation one way or the other. I ask for you prayers that I will be guided into all truth in this matter.
Hello Bro Pete, I believe God desires to lead us in every step of our lives. Seek Him to know His will for you. May Jesus bless you, Pam
Thank you for this post. I, too, have been struggling with work (I have a somewhat typical 8-5 office job). Though the Spirit has not yet led me to leave this job, I pray and ask, “how can I continue to be in that environment?” It is the polar opposite of the reality of living for God. I am forced into the ‘carnal’ world at work, and struggle to allow the Holy Spirit to lead me instead of allowing the ‘flesh-man’ in me do what it does best – take the lead in the flesh.
I will continue to pray and seek the Lord even more, and cling to him even tighter as I am on this present journey.
In times like these we need to cling to and seek the Lord even more, and guard our hearts more than ever. The old man is being stripped away, and the Lord is giving you a warning to hold fast to him while he does it.
Lean on the Rock.
Amen. This is the truth. It will cost us everything to follow Jesus. There is no other way, He alone is the way. Kind of makes being busy with “work” look very silly. Thanks to all who have commented.
Luke5:1-11 -
1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a]with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2he saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down[b] the nets for a catch.”
5Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Luke 6:20-26 -
20Looking at his disciples, he said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22Blessed are you when men hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
23″Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their fathers treated the prophets.
24″But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.
Luke 14:25
Great crowds were following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me.
John 6:60-69
Jesus knew within himself that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see me, the Son of Man, return to heaven again? It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you don’t believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is what I meant when I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father brings them to me.”
At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you going to leave, too?”
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You alone have the words that give eternal life. We believe them, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”
This was happening to me too. So I had to simply pause for a minute and write down the things that specifically distracted me away from God and either cut them out or bring them under my control.
I’ve been self-employed as well for about 1o years. I don’t know how your business works, but I know from my end that I’ve had to cut some clients off. I’ve also had to make myself leave my office at 5pm and not allow myself to continue to work until 7,9 or even 2am! I found that I don’t have to spend my entire day and night doing work. The only reason for this was because my flesh didn’t want to pray and study, so it came up with excuses to do work instead.
So now it has become a simple discipline thing for me and it is working. Therefore, I’ve been scheduling what I’ll do for each day and then sticking to it – it seems to be working. Even though I fall sometimes, I get back up and get back to the schedule. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, I’m able to get what needs to be done done (personal and business) and still give God his time. I just started this process and I am improving in my walk, I look forward to growth.
All the comments are helpful. You’re been on my prayer list along with other followers of Jesus. And I will continue to pray for you in these areas. From reading your post you are on the right track and I believe that God will let you know what is happening and what you need to do. Be encouraged, you’re on your way to conquering this thing. You’ve recognized the devil and now you will overcome his tactics.
The world and its desire shall pas away but he who does the will of Gos shall be there forever.Never compromise with the world.Pray fast and run away
Ecc 12:13 ¶ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this [is] the whole [duty] of man.
Ecc 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether [it be] good, or whether [it be] evil.
Obedience is everything, if anything is in the way it has to go.
In Jesus
We love you and are praying for you. God has a plan and purpose. My advice is to return to your first love and follow His will. He will give you grace
Thank You Jesus!!
Michael Thompson
Harvest Vineyard Mission
Hi Pete
It’s the hardest place in our lives when it comes to work and responsibility I know what you are living. My husband had his own company for years and we live well not rich but well (my husband is a babe in Christ) for I was lost in Laodicea for years as you know and the world and my sins As you know much hours he put in 16 to 18 hours a day I work as a nurses aid for 18 years in mental institute I was violently beaten at work from a patient 5 years ago I was lukewarm and starting to come back to the Lord when this happened
The lord had warned me prior to the beaten that psychology contradicts his words!
I went back to school crying and complaining but the Lord got me thru
And then we bought our first very modest house 30 days after our move we had a infiltration of water the foundation is cracked and was well hidden for the former owner even thou there was a inspection on it
It was well hidden the Lord had given me a verse in Isaiah 54: before the move I will give it to you I did not know what was waiting my foundation were all wrong from the start at the age of 19 when I Believed in the Lord!!
At that time I was coming back to churches and could not find anything that really was ok all dead and started to follow Joyce Meyer and Joel Osteen everything you could imagine on miracle channel but could not hear his voice anymore nothing the bible was alien the words were just one phrase that I could not understand ! because I do believe Jesus in his mercy did talk to me even if I was on the wrong road he tried so many times to warn me but I did not see it or did not want to deep down inside I hope not I still wander about this ??I got scared very scared was it too late for me until he started to show me a year and a half ago SIN NO MORE WHAT SIN NO MORE when I ask him to talk to me begged him crying in the car he said will you follow if not many will? And then fell on utubers that preaches sin no more my eyes were opened by Jesus I now want to follow him I wasted so many years in sins!
My husband started to lose clients and clients started not to pay you know he was just clinging on his company he worked with his father since the age of 15 years old his father took his retreat and my husband continue well losing clients and I changing work not as much money for all these responsibility
I suggested to my husband let’s just leave the house I don’t care if we lose all don’t forget I was just returning to the Lord and learning that JESUS SAIS GO AND SIN NO MORE PICK UP YOUR CROSS Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
We need to be capable of doing what Jesus tells us if he says we may lose because of him he was not kidding he never does
My husband started to apply and different places and he would not get any calls and when he did they just would not chose him for the job well he started not wanting to apply anymore and at our ages even if you look young they spit on you
We had calls from everyone we owed money and in debts from all the late payments and my husband did not want to leave this house
So I started to pray for him for the Lord will be done!
and all of a sudden a phone call from a Job interview the city hall wow here is so hard to get in with all the benefits my husband has a heart problem since the age of 30 and high blood pressure so my faith was slim for this Job for he needed to have a great medical exam for him to pass so you know Our Lord decides everything
Well he got the Job but he was still clinging to his company working hour’s hours! Last week my husband said to me well I think it’s time for me to say goodbye to my company
That is where we are! He his serious he has never wanted to let go of his company! The Lord changed his heart not me!
When you are at work the worldly place worldly people that is my biggest challenge I live it I really need to pray for my new work it takes all of my time I am talking to people all the time so don’t have time to pray I hate that!
And you know the Lord tells us if your hand causes you to stumble my Job causes me to stumble when I spend too much time with the world things starts to pass like if it was nothing or I fall in Satan traps and then I don’t hear the Lord
So I have been asking the Lord if I should leave my Job you see my Husband would not mind if I did not work anymore but we are so behind in our payments!! When I come back from work I feel dirty and I feel the Lord far far I lost so many years being lukewarm and backsliding I don’t want to fall away ever ever again! I could even lose my son and my family for Jesus friends we know that nothing should pass in front of Jesus
I am so miserable at that work but the lord made me witness a couple of time am I still there because of his will?!
I rather lose all my stuff and comfort than to lose my soul
Jesus never never says it’s easy it’s not its fun to be comfortable in our home
But I have to tell you I was mad at God for 1 year with the house he showed and still showing I about materials stuff how we think it’s not overboard but is it for Him that we love our comfort? I am still learning my brother still learning and want to obey
I wanted to share this with you I did not post it on your page it took to much space maybe you be the judge?? I don’t know if it helps! But I needed to share
My brother Pete in Jesus I have to tell you the Lord has blessed you with a understanding of the word and the end of time the Lord has used you so much you have taken away my religious glasses your postings are of the truth and your videos very missed on utube
God bless you and your family may Jesus be always your guide
Ps don’t forget I am French Canadian mixed up verbs sorry about that
Sis in Jesus Roxanne
Hi Pete,
Wondering where you’d got to!
Concerning your post. I think that you need to do that which God leads you to do. Clearly there is a conversation happening here, between you and the Holy Spirit.
And as you noted, you can see what’s going on.
I would ask myself questions along these lines. Is this a season to which you can see the end goal? Or is this something that will grow into a monster?
The appeal to worldly success, business success often finds it’s motivation in the flesh. However, that’s not to say that God may not have a distinct purpose and season for you at this time.
Having been in similar shoes I can share what I did, but that’s me…not you. After 10 years of running a successful business I think I came to the point of realizing that all of this busyness was neither growing me in the faith, nor producing any fruit in my life or the lives of others. Due to certain aspects of the business dealings I often felt as though I was compromising my faith and values.
In the end the business may have been successful and we were financially blessed. But all of that will count for little if we neglect the leading of the Holy Spirit.
There were many scriptures that I felt the Lord would have me going over and over in my mind at that time, and this was one of the key verses.
John 6:27 : Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.
I’ve never regretted closing the business down and yes it has been a struggle at times, but I have always found work and we are always fed, and we have more than enough. Even overflowing to others, which is a great blessing in itself.
The time I gained was put into serving the community as well as time for study, fellowship and prayer. Eventually I accepted fulltime work with my church but even this is a decision that I regretted from the perspective of busyness and time, and so now have cut back even this.
I too am about to get real busy again in the community with a full time paid job, working with people effected with addictions, mental health and homelessness issues. But it is only a 4 month posting, a short season and then I’ll revert to 20 hours a week.
And so I feel inclined to leave you with these couple of questions.
Is this just a season, that will serve you and your family and God’s purposes?
Or is this about become a monster that will enslave you to another master?
Blessings mate…
Tim
PS. Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God..