The Daily Grace - Keeping Busy?

People who are trying to be friendly sometimes ask, "Are you keeping busy?" The question seems harmless, but in my mind it carries a subtle message. Beneath the surface is a test of personal value. If I can't rattle off a list of things I have to do, I feel as if I'm admitting that I'm not worth much. But does God determine our value by how busy we are? Does He calculate our worth by how much we accomplish? Does He reward us for living on the edge of exhaustion and not taking care of ourselves?

One of the first verses I learned as a child was Matthew 11:28, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". It didn't mean much to me at the time because I didn't understand weariness. But now that I'm older, I feel the temptation to keep pace with the world so I won't be left behind. But followers of Jesus don't have to live like that. Not only has He released us from slavery to sin but also from the bondage of having to prove our worth.

Accomplishing a lot for God may make us feel important, but what makes us important to God is what we allow Him to accomplish in us - conforming us into the image of His Son (Rom. 8:28-30). Our value is not measured by what we do for God but by what He has done in us. Christ never asks of us such such busy labor as leaves no time for resting at His feet. The waiting attitude of expectation He often counts as service most complete.