Finding Time for God in a Busy World
Summary
In a reflective discourse, Cory Butler addresses the issue of busyness in modern life and the spiritual remedy offered through the example of Jesus Christ. He begins by acknowledging the pervasive sense of being overwhelmed that many people experience, often feeling stretched thin like "butter over too much bread." This condition, which he refers to as "busy," is not just a temporary phase but has become the norm for many, leading to a detrimental impact on both mental and spiritual well-being.
Butler points out that while this busyness harms us, Jesus presents a contrasting approach to life. He cites Jesus' words from Matthew 11, where Christ invites the weary to take on his yoke and learn from him, promising rest for their souls. This invitation is a call to embrace a life characterized by "unforced rhythms of grace," which stands in stark contrast to the hurried and busy lifestyle that many are accustomed to.
The core of Butler's message revolves around a passage from Mark 1:35-39, where Jesus, despite the demands of his ministry, prioritizes time with God the Father. Butler highlights three aspects of Jesus' practice: strategic intentionality, sacrificial commitment, and simplicity. Jesus' deliberate choice to rise early for solitary prayer demonstrates the importance of being strategic and intentional in setting aside time for God. His willingness to forego immediate action on the day's demands illustrates the sacrificial nature of such a commitment. Lastly, the simplicity of Jesus' prayer time, free from distractions, underscores the accessible nature of communion with God.
Butler shares personal anecdotes, including the challenges he faces in balancing his roles as a husband, father, and youth minister. He empathizes with the struggle to maintain spiritual disciplines amidst a busy schedule and the constant pressure to do more. He also recounts a conversation with a high school senior who expressed a deep desire to find time with God but felt overwhelmed by her schedule. This interaction highlights the universal longing for spiritual connection and the obstacles that busyness creates.
In response to these challenges, Butler offers practical advice for those seeking to prioritize their relationship with God. He suggests being strategic by fitting spiritual practices into one's current season of life, making necessary sacrifices to avoid distractions, and simplifying one's approach to time with God. He encourages his listeners to start with reading a Psalm and allowing it to guide their prayers, emphasizing that a relationship with God requires time, discipline, and intentionality.
Butler concludes with an invitation to embrace the relationship with God that Jesus modeled. He reassures his audience that God desires to be with them and to talk with them, and that prioritizing this relationship is the key to finding true fulfillment and purpose. He calls for a reordering of life's priorities, starting with time spent with God, which then empowers individuals to move forward into their God-given purposes.
Key Takeaways:
- Intentionality is crucial in developing a relationship with God. Just as Jesus strategically chose to spend the first moments of his day in prayer, individuals should also be deliberate in carving out time for God, recognizing that this may require adjustments to their daily routines and priorities. This strategic approach is not about adhering to a rigid schedule but about making a conscious effort to seek God amidst life's busyness. [13:27]
- Sacrifice is an inherent part of spiritual growth. Jesus demonstrated this by choosing to spend time with the Father over immediately addressing the needs around him. In the same way, individuals must learn to say no to good things to say yes to the best thing, which is time with God. This may mean sacrificing productivity or comfort, but it is essential for deepening one's relationship with the divine. [14:47]
- Simplicity in one's spiritual practice can be profoundly effective. Jesus' prayer time was simple and free of distraction, suggesting that meaningful communion with God does not require complexity. By simplifying their approach to time with God, individuals can find freedom and focus, allowing them to hear God's voice more clearly and respond to His guidance. [16:48]
- The internal and external resistance to slowing down and being with God is real and must be acknowledged. Anxiety, fear, and the pull of productivity can hinder one's ability to be still and present with God. Recognizing and pushing back against these resistances is necessary to cultivate a peaceful and unhurried space for spiritual reflection and growth. [19:08]
- Relationships, including one's relationship with God, require time, discipline, and intentionality. Just as human relationships need investment and care, so does one's relationship with the divine. Embracing the inefficiency and time-consuming nature of this relationship is essential for spiritual well-being and is ultimately the best thing for one's soul. [25:59]
Study Guide
Bible Reading
1. Matthew 11:28-30
"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."
2. Mark 1:35-39
"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: 'Everyone is looking for you!' Jesus replied, 'Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.' So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons."
Observation Questions
1. What actions did Jesus take to manage his time and responsibilities according to Mark 1:35-39?
2. In Matthew 11:28-30, what does Jesus offer to those who are weary and burdened?
Interpretation Questions
1. How might seeking solitude and prayer, as Jesus did, provide rest and ease burdens in one's life?
2. Considering the invitation in Matthew 11:28-30, what does it mean to take Jesus' yoke upon oneself and learn from him?
Application Questions
1. Identify a specific time and place where you can go to be alone with God in the next week. What steps will you take to ensure this time is protected?
2. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt overwhelmed or burdened. How can you apply Jesus' invitation to find rest in your approach to similar situations in the future?
3. Think of an activity or commitment you have that is good, but may be preventing you from spending quality time with God. What is one way you can adjust or sacrifice this to prioritize your relationship with God?
4. Choose a Psalm to read this week. What is a specific verse from that Psalm you can use to guide your prayers each day?
5. Recall a moment from the past week when you felt the pressure of productivity. What is a simple prayer you can use to center yourself on God's presence in those moments?
Devotional
Day 1: Intentionality in Spiritual Practice
Strategic planning of one's time with God is not about convenience but about making a conscious decision to seek Him first. It's about creating a sacred space in one's schedule that is non-negotiable, reflecting the value placed on that divine relationship. This strategic approach to spirituality is not about fitting God into one's life but rather aligning one's life to God's presence. [13:27]
Mark 1:35 - "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed."
Reflection: How can you rearrange your daily routine to ensure that time with God is your first priority?
Day 2: The Cost of Communion
True communion with God often requires the sacrifice of other pursuits, even those that are good and noble. It is a deliberate choice to forgo immediate gratification or accomplishment in favor of deepening one's spiritual roots. This sacrifice is a testament to the value one places on their relationship with God, acknowledging that some treasures are worth more than time. [14:47]
Luke 5:16 - "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."
Reflection: What good activities or commitments might you need to sacrifice to prioritize your time with God?
Day 3: Embracing Spiritual Simplicity
Simplicity in one's spiritual life is not about minimalism for its own sake but about removing the clutter that distracts from God's voice. It's about finding solace in the quiet places where one can connect with the Divine without the trappings of elaborate rituals or the noise of life's demands. This simplicity brings one closer to the heart of God, where true peace and understanding reside. [17:59]
Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Reflection: Can you identify a quiet place where you can regularly go to be alone with God and embrace the simplicity of prayer?
Day 4: Confronting Resistance to Stillness
The journey to stillness before God is often met with resistance, both from within and without. Anxiety, fear, and the pressure to be constantly productive can create barriers to entering God's rest. Recognizing these resistances is the first step to overcoming them, allowing one to find true peace and connection in the presence of God. [19:08]
James 4:8 - "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: What internal or external factors are preventing you from spending quiet time with God, and how can you address them today?
Day 5: Investing in Divine Relationship
Cultivating a relationship with God is an investment that requires time, discipline, and intentionality. It is a pursuit that may seem inefficient by worldly standards, but it yields the deepest joy and fulfillment. This investment is about choosing to live from a place of identity rooted in God's love and grace, rather than the fleeting satisfaction of busyness. [25:59]
Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Reflection: How can you begin to invest more intentionally in your relationship with God, starting today?
Quotes
"The steady exhaustion, the low-grade constant anxiety these were things that I didn't hear then... Busy is hurting us, it's a legitimate issue." [06:35] (Download)
"I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter over too much bread. This resonates with me on a deep level... feeling like Bilbo, thin and stretched, saying yes to too much, constantly adding one more thing, always describing my day as busy or exhausting." [07:14] (Download)
"This new epidemic of distraction is our civilization's specific weakness, and its threat is not so much to our minds... the threat is to our souls. At this rate, if the noise, if the busyness does not relent, we might even forget that we have any." [07:48] (Download)
"Friend, if your phone is with you, the world has access to you. It's okay to turn it off. God did not intend for you to be omniscient and omnipresent. Slow down, busy is hurting us." [25:19] (Download)
"Relationships with anyone, relationships of intimacy take a lot of time and discipline and intentionality. All of our meaningful relationships require these things, just as it does with the Father." [25:59] (Download)
"Please hear these things: God's desire to be with you. If the busyness of your life makes you feel like that is impossible, I want to push back. The pace that many of us keep, it says I need to do, achieve, to be, to get more to find life, it's just not Jesus' way." [31:08] (Download)
"Our hope in our busyness that's actually hurting us but instead we operate from our relationship with the father. It's from time with the father that we see Jesus move forward into purpose into mission towards activity." [20:58] (Download)
"Jesus shows us the proper order to life. The follower of Jesus' calling to live from abiding, remaining, living, dwelling, praying, talking, being with the father. Jesus started there, then he moved." [21:36] (Download)
"Making the choice to swim upstream may look and feel very strange, but friends, Jesus wants to help us change the order of operation that our culture is setting for us and discipling us in." [22:17] (Download)
"Busy busy busy is hurting us friends, busy is hurting us. It's not being kind to us regardless of how busy appears in your life, as a culture, as a people we sit under the weight of doing too much." [02:39] (Download)
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