DCLM Higher Everyday 26 November 2023 — The Bane Of Being Too Busy
Topic: The Bane Of Being Too Busy
Text: 1 Kings 20:38-43
39And as the king passed by, he cried unto the king: and he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver.
40And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.
41And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets.
42And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.
43And the king of Israel went to his house heavy and displeased, and came to Samaria.
Key Verse: “And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it” (1 Kings 20:40).
Message
“You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage – pleasantly, smilingly, non-apologetically – to say ‘no’ to other things. And the way you do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside. The enemy of the ‘best’ is often the ‘good,’” someone said.
Being busy does not always mean real work. The servant in our text was busy on non-essential. There are youths who major in inconsequential matters and minor in significant issues. Spiritual life and their academics that should take top priorities in their daily affairs are put on the last wrung of their schedule. At the end of the day their spiritual life leaves nothing to be desired and the much anticipated success eludes them. A serious youth must learn how to set priorities right. This formula could be adapted in setting daily priorities – urgent and important, urgent but not important, not urgent but important, and not important not urgent. This will curb lateness to school or examination hall, lateness in turning in assignments, and living a jumbled life. Don’t be busy doing nothing. Be usefully engaged.
Quote: Set priorities right
Challenge: Concentrate on what is essential.
Prayer for today: Help me not to lose focus, oh God.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
