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How’s Your Schedule?

“Our decision to close on Sunday was our way of honoring God and of directing our attention to things that mattered more than our business.”  

S. Truett Cathy, Founder of Chick-fil-A 

 

A long time ago, in a kingdom far, far away, a king selected a “fool” to entertain him and make him laugh when he was depressed.  

He gave the fool a golden scepter and told him, “If you ever meet a bigger fool than you are, pass this rod on to him.” 

Years passed, with the fool still in the king’s service. Then, when the king was very old and nearing death, he called for the fool to make him laugh one last time. “I’m preparing to leave on a long journey,” the king said.  

The fool asked, “Have you made preparations for your arrival at your destination?”  

“No. I’ve been far too busy,” replied the king. 

The fool handed the golden scepter to the king: “My king, you are a greater fool than I.” 

We live in a day when people wear “busy” like a badge of honor. Ask someone how they’re doing and more often than not they answer, “Busy!” And we affirm this—the typical reply is usually, “Well, busy is good!” or “It’s better than the alternative!”  

Is chronic busyness really a good thing? 

Nothing is wrong with hard work, pouring ourselves wholeheartedly into what we are doing—the Proverbs are full of such admonitions. But we do need to rest. God rested and directed us to keep the Sabbath: 

“Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed” (Exodus 23:12). 

His Word reveals the folly of a life burning the candle at both ends: 

“In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for he grants sleep to those he loves” (Psalm 127:2). 

Jesus even offers us an invitation: 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). 

It’s a simple truth: Too much of even a good thing becomes a bad thing, if it keeps you from the best thing. 

How busy am I? Am I neglecting times of rest? Am I spending so much time and effort on the good things that I’m missing out on the best things?  

 

My prayer this weekLord, I thank you that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. You made me, and you know I need rest—my physical, emotional, and spiritual life needs it. Will you help me know when and where to say “no” in my schedule? Will you help me to recoup a Sabbath’s rest each week, to reorder priorities, and to redeem my time?