Busy Times

Photo courtesy of hdwallflowers.in

I am in the midst of a busy season in life right now.  In the past week, for example, I have taken the kids on an all-day field trip, hosted a 6-year-old birthday party (so add to the list: cake baking, gift wrapping, decorating and undecorating), attended multiple soccer games and practices, discipled two women, homeschooled three children, made over a dozen meals, ran 10 miles, laundered umpteen loads of clothes, ran multiple errands (with one especially fussy preschooler)...well, the list can go on and on.

Many of you can attest to this yourselves, even if you are not a mother of small children.

But at times like this I am always reminded of this simple verse stated in the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus himself:

"But seek first HIS Kingdom and HIS righteousness, and all these things will be added to you as well."  (emphasis mine) Matthew 6:33

It is spoken in the midst of a discussion about worry.  Worry about what to wear, what to eat, what each day will bring.  And Jesus points to two very common fixtures in nature--birds and flowers.  He discusses how God takes care of the birds and provides for the flowers all that they need to flourish and grow.  And how much more valuable are we to the Heavenly Father than these things?  Will He not also provide for our needs at the perfect time?

And so in these busy seasons of life I am sure to do just ONE thing:

Be in God's Word.  

Why?  Are there not so many more pressing matters at hand?  Ahhh...but there is that promise as stated above.  When I dare to seek first God's Kingdom through prayer and time in His Word, then all these other things--my to-do list, my physical needs, even my emotional concerns, etc--ALL things, will be added to me as well.  And so often I find that when I am seeking Him, so many of the things that I HAVE to do or things I HAVE to worry about no longer seem so important anymore.

So, this week, as you deal with the hustle-and-bustle of everyday life, be reminded to seek the things of God FIRST in your heart, and I'd encourage you to do it FIRST in your day, too.  Be in God's Word.  God tells us it will NEVER return void and it has the power to break you and make you and equip you and empower you for ALL that you do, all day long (Isaiah 55:11, 2 Tim 3:16, Heb 4:12).

Don't know where to start?  Start with the Gospel According to John.
Feeling more adventuresome? Dive into Genesis with this plan here.
Don't want to do it alone?  Try this online community.

And if it is currently a quiet season in your life?  Well then, be prayerful and mindful to bless someone else's day that might need an extra hand or a word of encouragement!  I promise that you will be blessed if you do.