The Lie of Busyness
The "lie of busyness" refers to the belief that being constantly busy equates to productivity and success, while in reality, it often masks inefficiency, a lack of focus, or avoidance of more important tasks. It's a cultural phenomenon where being seen as "busy" has become a status symbol, even if that busyness is not leading to meaningful outcomes.
Have you lost the thrill?
All of us have had things come and go in our lives that thrilled us. Catching your first fish, learning to ride a bike, graduating from high school or college, your wedding day, the birth of your first grandchild. I could go on and on but I want you to consider one other thing. Have you lost the thrill you had on the day you became a Christian?
Rethink, Wake Up, Strengthen
We need to rethink why we are on the earth. We need to rethink what our calling is and why we are part of the church and why we choose to gather with other believers. We need to rethink why we are claiming the name of Christ and doing works and carrying on ministries in the name of Christ.
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Mt. 10:32–33).
Eternal Impermanence
“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” —Hebrews 13:14.
Consider how attached people become to their hometowns and places of residence. Many individuals are reluctant to leave the cities where they were born and have lived. This hesitation also extends to the idea of leaving this world for the next.
Compare Your Sufferings
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face; and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. —Hebrews 12:3.
What is your life?
What is your life? When I talk to people about life I love to ask them three simple questions. How did you get here? What are you doing here or what is your purpose in life? And lastly, what is your plan when this life is over?
“In Him was life.” Or, “That which has been made was life in him.” —John 1:4
The Real King Still Reigns
John Newton: “There is one political maxim which comforts me: ‘The Lord reigns.’”
Joy and Gladness Failure
If we are serving God with a lack of joy and gladness in our heart are we actually serving Him? Probably not. We are only serving ourselves and there is no joy and gladness found in self-serving.
Satisfied from a Hospital Bed
Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. —Ps 90:14–15
The Joy of Aches and Pains
Our troubles should not diminish our faith or disillusion us. We should realize that there is a purpose in our suffering.
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. —2 Co 4:17–18.
Peacetime Mindset Versus Wartime Lifestyle
Many of us are operating under a peacetime mindset. We are dilly dallying around the things that are hindering us in life. Just players wasting our life. We are all in thrall to things that affect our daily life.
Pursue Better Pleasure
Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor. —Proverbs 21:21
Gladness is yours for the taking.
Hope Succeeds by Purpose
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, —Isaiah 55:10
Truth is not the Ideas We Believe
Truth: moral truth, saving truth, working truth, living truth. It is not simply something to be known; it is something to be done. It is the knowledge and the experience of true reality as opposed to false reality.
Death-Defying Confidence
So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” —Hebrews 13:6
“Trust Not In Man”
“Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.” --Psalm 146:3-4
“Embracing Life in the Land of the Living”
We are called to embrace the life we have. Embrace it as we would a beloved friend. Wholeheartedly.
“Amazing Wonders”
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know! —Proverbs 30:4