[PHOTO: Christianity Today]
"But He’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what God is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love, and don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously." (Micah 6:8, Message)
Sometimes, the rhythms of work and life can hold you hostage to seasons of busy that just won’t seem to let up. But after occasional sighing and whining, you learn to roll with them because you trust that, sooner or later, it’s all going to calm down to, well, quasi-normal. That kind of busy, though, is a lot different than the kind that tries to convince you that you need to keep doing more and more to succeed in life and relationships…and even in being a good follower of Jesus.
It doesn’t help that the culture of social media and 24/7 news cycles is filled with comparisons of your life with everyone else’s so-called full and successful life (and walk), and with it, a not so subtle sense of competition and peer approval and increasing levels of wow-gee-whiz-top-this-one, and endless invitations to join this or that or attend that or this, or simply do, do, do ’til you drop.
What’s wrong with this picture? And can I get off at the next stop, please?
Then one day, sanity makes an appearance right in the middle of that culture. A friend’s not-copy-and-paste Facebook status earlier this winter jumped off the page and stuck to my ribs with agreement and a longing that won’t quit:
“Stop glorifying busy.”
It’s good to remember that the very first Church that ever was, even in its rather unorganized state, got that. It was filled with people who had demanding jobs and farms and fishing businesses and families. They undoubtedly had their own seasons of life-imposed “busy,” but they did seem to have a handle on simplicity in the midst of it all. Rather than adding more gotta-do-its to “do” church, they seemed to reorientate their normally busy lives to simply “be” church in the regular rhythms of their daily life—to and among one another, and supernaturally influencing their communities as a result.
Intentional, yes. Frantic, no. Effective, most definitely. Wow, who doesn't want that?
We may have read their story a gazillion times and thought, “nice, but sounds idealistic.” But it’s not. “Yeah right, sounds too good to be true.” But it’s not. “Cool story for way back then, but...” But it’s as relevant now as it was then.
How can we be sure? Well, there's this:
“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Message). In other words, even this story of the First Church of the First Church is not written down to inspire mere wishful thinking….
“The community continually committed themselves to learning what the apostles taught them, gathering for fellowship, breaking bread, and praying. Everyone felt a sense of awe because the apostles were doing many signs and wonders among them. There was an intense sense of togetherness among all who believed; they shared all their material possessions in trust. They sold any possessions and goods that did not benefit the community and used the money to help everyone in need. They were unified as they worshiped at the temple day after day. In homes, they broke bread and shared meals with glad and generous hearts. The new disciples praised God, and they enjoyed the goodwill of all the people of the city. Day after day the Lord added to their number everyone who was experiencing liberation.”—Acts 2:42-47, The Voice
The details of how all that could manifest itself in each one of us in 2017 will be as different as our schedules, routines, and those in our inner circle of joy. But just maybe, the Second Chapter of Acts is, among many things, God’s eternal reminder to every generation to “stop glorifying busy” for busy’s sake, keep it powerfully simple throughout the day, worship with feet on, and then stand back and see what amazing things He can and will do.
“Go where He calls you to go. Work the 9 to 5, but worship Him 24/7.”—Robin Mark
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