Somebody Stop This Ride! I Wanna Get Off!

Busy. Irritated. Frustrated. That’s how I feel. This month has been screaming by. So much going on, so little time. I feel like I’m on one of those nauseating carnival rides. And not the one you love to ride over and over again. The ride I’m on makes you sick to your stomach. The one you swear you’ll never ride again.

I desire for my children to have a wonderful life. I really do. What parent doesn’t want that for their little ones? From playdates with friends, to birthday party invites and the demands of school and home. Yes, all are very good things. But sometimes we have to say “no” to the good, to free up time for God’s best.

I haven’t been saying “no” enough lately.

Once busyness becomes the norm, aggravation soon settles in. Short angry outbursts, irritable moods, and harsh looks exchanged. Before you know it, relationships feel the burden of a heavy heart. There is a scripture in the gospel of John I call to mind whenever I begin to feel the pressure of doing too much. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” John 10:10a NKJV

The enemy of our souls has a master plan for children of the most high God. His first plan of attack is to distract by stealing our time. Busyness. His greatest weapon to get our eyes off of our God-given purpose in life. Once over-activity has begun, he kills our joy. Doing too much has a way of sucking all of the joy right out of our lives. And with no joy of the Lord, relationships soon die. Satan makes the death of our relationships his fatal blow.

After warning us of how the enemy works, Jesus then said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10b NKJV

Friends, our God wants us to live full and blessed lives. But, busy doesn’t always mean best or blessed. If you are feeling heavily burdened today, then something needs to be reevaluated.

Friends, your God-given purpose is your calling. If your married it’s your husband. If you’re a mom or grandma, it’s your children and grandchildren. Or maybe it’s your committment to your church ministry. Whatever the reason for your busyness, if it is of Him, if the Lord has called you to it, it will not be burdensome. Remember, His yoke is easy, and His burden light.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

One Response to Somebody Stop This Ride! I Wanna Get Off!
  1. Jane Maritz
    May 26, 2009 | 5:18 pm

    I love this – especially after my own blog post on organization today! I’ve decided my tendancy to take on more and more until I get overwhelmed to the point of dumping everything and then going through the cycle all over again is just part of who I am. And it’s a great opportunity to keep reevaluating what is important to me – an opportunity someone who lives that perfectly balanced life doesn’t get… 🙂