Are We Too Busy? - The Christian Online Magazine

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Almost everywhere I turn, I find people from all different walks of life looking and searching for answers to their questions and solutions for their problems. Souls are desperately crying out for help in various forms and ways. People are running to and fro looking for someone to help them, listen to them, pray with them, give them advice. Who will hear and respond to the cries of these individuals? Who among us is willing to give a little bit of our time to help these hurting people?

It seems as if I am hearing the same phrase over and over again from all different kinds of members of the body of Christ. Whether I’m counseling someone or just talking to someone in general, this phrase is being spoken quite frequently: “Nobody has time to help me. Everybody is too busy.”

When we are too busy for people, we are just too busy.

In my study of theology, I have found that the word minister means servant. If ministers are supposed to be servants to the body of Christ and the world, why are so many walking in outright disobedience to God’s command? Isn’t ministry about people? Or is it about fame and fortune? Is it about big church buildings and large congregations or is it about serving the needs of people? Is the church failing in her obligations to the Lord? Are we more concerned about our “ministries” instead of people? It seems that many of us could use a good Holy Ghost chiropractic treatment in the Spirit.

Jesus poured Himself into His disciples. He lived with them on a daily basis. He washed their feet and served them with compassion and love. He didn’t lord it over them and try to make a name for Himself. He poured His life into each and every individual with joy. He went out of His way to heal those who needed physical healing. He provided bread for those who were hungry and deliverance for those who were bound by demonic spirits. He gave solutions to problems, not just lip service.

Matthew 20:25-28 – But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet, it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Sometimes people just need to know that someone cares for them. What better way to show our love and concern than by the words we speak and the things we do. We don’t need to continually be “preaching” to people and spiritualizing everything. We need to learn how to be human, weep with those who are weeping, laugh with those who are laughing, mourn with those who are mourning. Every situation does not require a ten point theological sermon. It’s time for ministers to learn how to relate to people in ways that will truly make a difference.

Matthew 25:41-45 – “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

These are strong words from the One who knows all things, understands all things and reveals all things. When we minister to others, we are really ministering to the Lord.

Just think of all the relief and peace the church can bring to those who are now fearful over the war situation in Iraq. With the Holy Spirit’s power, who knows how many people would come to the knowledge of Christ as a result of someone taking the time to say a few words to those who are lost and confused during this time. Opportunities for the church to minister are never ending. People are everywhere.

As we pray and seek the Lord’s counsel, He will give us the anointing and the ability to speak the right word at the right time in the right situation. He will give us words of knowledge, words of wisdom and prophetic words for all kinds of situations. People will respond to the words of life coming from the Spirit of God who lives on the inside of us. Lives will be changed, hearts restored, and people will be encouraged as a result of the body of Christ taking a few moments out of their busy schedules for certain individuals.

I believe it’s time for the body of Christ to be delivered from their selfish heart attitudes. We have all been guilty of wanting our own way; wanting to do our own thing. Many of us have often thought, “If something is in it for me, then I’ll do it.” This is evidence of a life that has not been crucified with Christ. This is evidence of a life that is being lived for personal gain and earthly comfort. Is this the kind of life that Christians are supposed to be living? If not, it’s time for repentance and change.

I challenge you today to begin taking a few moments from your busy schedule; to stop and smell the roses. Acknowledge the needs of those around you and begin to speak into the lives of those precious people who are made in the image of God. You never know how the Lord might choose to use you. The words you speak might be the very words that bring deliverance to someone who is on the verge of suicide. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. The Lord might want to use you in a powerful way in just a few moments of time. Be obedient, yield to the Holy Spirit and be a blessing to those around you. Who knows? Your little smile could be the very thing that God could use to lift someone out of the very depths of despair.