Busyness is today’s badge of success. Yes, we are to work hard when we work,
Colossians 3:23-24 (NKJV)23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
But we are commanded to rest;
Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (NKJV)12 'Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you.13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,14 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.15 And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
With school, work, and projects in full swing, the daily demands of our busy schedules can be high. It’s easy to slip into an overload mode without realizing it.
1.When our hearts are at peace, our schedules will follow.
It’s easy to be tempted to rush through daily tasks without first spending time alone with God, especially when the appointment calendar is calling. When you fail to spend at least a few moments talking to God in prayer and reading His Word at the beginning of the day, then your day feels bumpy, choppy, and rushed. God may call us to lead a busy, full life as His servants, but He doesn’t call us to skip over our quiet time with Him. Keeping your heart at peace with Him provides a peaceful attitude, even when the daily demands are high. John 14:27 is a beautiful verse to memorize and use as a reminder that we can be at peace even when circumstances are unsettling or schedules are jam-packed.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV).
2. When we remember that eternal issues matter most, we will choose our “yes’es” wisely.
If people-pleasing is a part of your DNA, then sometimes saying “yes” one too many times becomes the straw that broke the camel’s back. You will find yourself stressed and pressured, unable to smile or take the time to greet someone kindly. Choosing to say “yes” carefully can help tremendously when life is hustling.
The following two questions can help us choose our activities and appointments carefully, and learn when to say “no.” The first question is: Will this activity or appointment have lasting impact? And the second: Is this a one-time or long-term commitment? It’s easy to look at one week of the calendar and feel like “That works with our schedule.” But then when looking at a full month of that same activity, it becomes overwhelming and stressful. Asking the Lord for guidance as we look at our schedule of activities and make daily calendaring decisions is a wonderful way to help us remember that ultimately we desire His will and not our own. 1 John 2:17 says: And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:17 (ESV)
3. When we enjoy making plans and maintaining beauty, we are following God’s plan of order.
Maintaining a daily routine will make your life more enjoyable. A method or routine is part of God’s divine design for life. Take a look at this beautiful verse:
Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of hosts is his name: Jeremiah 31:35 (ESV)
He gave a fixed order to beauty so that it could be enjoyed routinely. The creative God we serve loves to see us enjoy daily life. Using a planner can help you maintain a daily, weekly, monthly routine. Some days will be full, others will me less full, and some may even be slow day. Regardless of how full your days a planner can help you maintain and enjoy order. Using pocket inserts, memo pad inserts, sticky note inserts, washi tape and stickers in my planner provides a practical and inspirational way to pattern after your Creator. He wants you to know how to manage time effectively—without feeling bogged down by a busy schedule. Good time management strategies allow you the opportunity to fully appreciate all that He has provided.
While God may have called you to a busy life or even a busy season, he didn’t call you to do it alone. So, when your schedule starts to speed up, don’t forget to lean on Him for the strength and guidance to tackle what lies ahead. Choose one or two tips from the list above and commit to implement them in your life over the upcoming months. You might be really surprised at how He can transform what looks like a crazy, hectic day into many peace-filled, beautiful moments.