Busy

When I was a kid, when people asked, “How are you?”  the prescribed polite answer was either “fine” or “good.”  I have noticed that the go-to answer to that question has changed in our day.  I challenge you today to ask someone that question and log their answer.  I bet at least as often as you hear “fine” or “good” you will hear the new answer, “busy.”

People say it because it is true.  They say it because we as a culture have come to equate one’s worth with one’s busyness.  They say it because it is what others say to them when they ask that question.

To suggest that busyness is not a an intrinsically good ethic in our culture is to attack the sacred cow.  Usually, if you question this ethic, you will be accused of promoting laziness and sloth.  But there is a difference between an ethic of hard work which is good and and an ethic of busyness which I would argue is not good.

Busyness robs us of things essential to our well being.  First and most obvious is the rejuvenation our created nature needs.  We were not created to be constantly busy.  Yes, we are to work hard at our vocations, but we also are to rest.  This is central to the idea of Sabbath in the Bible.  Man and beast alike need a break from hard work for our physical and mental well-being.

Secondly, busyness robs us of the time needed for spiritual renewal.  It is simply true that most of the ways that God directs us for spirtual well being require a break from busyness.  Time in his house cannot be crowded by things that demand a tidy one hour service.  Meditation requires a a break long enough to the mind to be able to relax with the body.  Prayer also is best practiced in time of rest free from the distraction of busyness.

Thirdly, it robs us of other things we need as well, like time with family and good friends.  It takes from us time to think through things we experience  in a beneficial way.  I suppose the list could go on and on.

It is better that we would be “fine” and “good” than just “busy.”  Work hard, yes.  But rest well.  It is the way the creator has taught us his creatures to exist in wellness.  It is the way the Father teaches us his children to live.  If Jesus has time in his short ministry to relax and rejuvenate, you do as well.

Next time I see you and ask “how are you?” I hope you will say “good” not out of habit but because rest will have created a reality of “good” in your life.  This God wills.