NEVER TOO BUSY
But a certain Samaritan,
as he journeyed,
came where he was.
And when he saw him,
he had compassion.
Luke 10:33
If anyone could understand the temptation to let busyness distract Him from the Father’s activity, Jesus certainly could! Yet Jesus was never too busy to listen to His Father’s guidance and instruction.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Jesus told a parable that clearly illustrated the need to never be too busy to help one another, and the danger of becoming too busy:
A certain Jewish man was on his way to Jericho when he was brutally attacked by thieves and left to die by the road. First a Levite, then a priest, passed by; surely they would show compassion to a wounded person! Although these men were religious leaders, they did pass him by, because they had places to go and appointments to keep. Besides, they thought, someone else would come along who had more time to help the wounded man. Then a Samaritan, despised by the Jews, came along. Of all people, this man had reason to look the other way, since the wounded man was his enemy. However, his appointments, his daily routine could wait, because someone needed his help.
How Does This Apply Today?
It’s easy to become so busy that you are oblivious to those in need. Your schedule can become so full of accomplishing good things that you are of no help to the people around you. God is at work in the lives of your friends, your neighbors, your family members. He may ask you to interrupt your day long enough to join Him accordingly as He ministers to them. Indeed, nothing on your agenda, no matter how pressing, is reason enough to ignore the voice of God when He tells you to stop and help.
As you pray today, thank God for giving you a life full of busyness. Then take a few moments to reflect on how you spend your time, and ask yourself if you are too busy. Have become too busy to minister to those around you? Ask God to reestablish your priorities so that you do not miss opportunities to serve Him. Ask Him to remind you that you are never too busy to help others in need. Amen!
Source:
“Experiencing God Day-By-Day; The Devotional and Journal”, by Henry T. Blackaby and Richard Blackaby ©1997. Entry October 16.
Additional Reading:
Putting Your Brother First
Iron Sharpens Iron