Now is NOT the time to get busy!

Earlier this week I attended the graduation ceremony at Faith Evangelical Seminary, in Tacoma, WA. Who would think to bring paper and pen to take notes at a commencement? Not me! Usually, commencement speakers have too little to say, and too much time to say it. Not this time.

I wish every person that works with children could have been there. Each encouragement and challenge could have easily been directed to all of us who minister to children and families.

Dr. Adams, the President of the Seminary stunned me. When speaking to men and women graduating with Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees, we expect to hear a challenge to take what has been learned, and get busy making a difference for God. Dr. Adams said, “Now is not the time to get busy.” What? That can’t be. I must have misunderstood. No, not so.

In words more eloquent than I can reproduce, Dr. Adams challenged the graduates to focus on the two most important things; the study of God’s Word, and prayer.” Ouch! That one hurts. Dr. Adams, do you mean that the constant frenzied activity of ministry could stand in the way of a maturing faith? Isn’t vital, dynamic, exciting ministry what we are all about? Have we been doing it wrong?

My guess is that you, like me, worry about what others, especially those you serve under, think. In itself, that is not a bad thing. Unfortunately, as long as we are busy, people think we are effective. This is not always true. Sometimes a whirlwind of activity is a smokescreen that hides problems in ministry, in our relationships, and in our walk with the Lord.

Ministry that matters is a byproduct of a maturing faith. A maturing faith is a byproduct of a systematic study of God’s Word and prayer. There are no shortcuts. When you feel like you are running on empty in your ministry, perhaps the solution is as simple as this: STOP, take time to study your Bible and to pray.

I am writing to me. Man, do I have some adjustments to make.

Now, get out there and….

Matthew 6:31-34
So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.