More on Busyness

This morning I had a really good time with the Lord. I picked up a Bible study someone gave me and did the first lesson. I sat. I listened. Then, I picked up another little booklet. I actually read the whole thing because the message was right on target with what the Lord began yesterday.

The booklet is called "The Lord's Work Done in the Lord's Way". It's written by K.P. Yohannan and is available for free download by going to the GFA website here.

Yesterday I posted about busyness. I said I had worn busyness like a badge of honor. I would "brag" about my busyness.

The first Bible study I worked on this morning is by Beth Moore (surprise, surprise). It's called "Living Free". It's a workbook with 5 lessons for 6 weeks. I plan to do it by myself and enjoy the time with the Lord.

In the introduction of Beth's book, she talks about a woman who has contacted her and is struggling with an eating disorder. The woman struggles with being a perfectionist and, consequently, struggles with her body image but also in her relationship with God. She's never good enough. Beth reminded readers that we can never do enough. We can never earn favor or a right place with God.

Often times my own busyness comes from trying to please man. It comes from seeing the need and knowing I have the ability to meet it. It also comes from my need to show my worth.

I said earlier that I've "bragged" about busyness. While it wasn't my intention at the time, I look back at it and can see it clearly for what it was. I was trying to justify--my life, my choices, my worth.

We are supported missionaries. If I am not able to "show" everyone what I'm doing, how can they justify supporting us?

That's just one of the strongholds I'm taking captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:4). This new study by Beth will involve just that--identifying strongholds and using Scripture to take them captive to the obedience of Christ. Thinking I need to justify myself is a lie. It's not truth.

The booklet by K.P. also spoke directly to this. On page 29 K.P. talks about Ezekiel 44 and the two groups of people that are serving God--the Levites and the sons of Zadoc. The Levites are busy in the outer courts, serving the people. ** The sons of Zadoc ministered in the inner court, where they stood still and it was quiet. There was no busyness for the sons of Zadoc. Their service was to come into the holy of holies and minister to the Lord.

Brother K.P. challenges the reader by asking "which group are you in?"

So, which group? Way too often I could care less about being like the sons of Zadoc. I want to be with the people. I want to see others like me who are struggling, enjoy the laughter, look important, feel needed. I want to remain busy and feel useful.

I'm pretty sure the Lord is chiseling away at my heart right now. This is just way too much on the same topic coming all at the same time. He's up to something.

Bring in on, Lord! I really do want to be in love with You and doing nothing on my own.

**This is an especially good picture to me. I did the Beth Moore study on the Tabernacle and then taught it to the youth group. We built a replica of the tabernacle and then had an experiential worship service for adults. It is one of my most fond memories in youth ministry--because I grew immensely during that time.

There's so much more God showed me even this morning. So, if you like this topic, come back for more. If you don't, you might have to wait a little while to see something else!