I recently interviewed a senior executive of a major company in our community. I spoke with him about his greatest concerns for his company. The conversation was illuminating.
One of his greatest personal needs as a leader was simply time to think. He needed time for strategic planning. He said that the CEO frequently reminded him, “He was not paid to be busy. He was paid to think.” As our conversation continued he admitted ironically, that when he actually carved out time to think he was almost uncomfortable with it and would find himself filling the time with busyness.
I fully understood what he was talking about both as a pastor in leadership and from a parallel issue in my prayer life. I realize that far too often I am avoiding stillness and prayer time. I am avoiding God. Not in some overt manner. I am not intentionally avoiding God. It’s more a symptomatic issue of conditioning.
Specifically, I have gotten use to being busy and as a result can feel almost anxious with stillness, not in a fearful way or being consciously worried, rather just a sense of restlessness. In fact, just enough restlessness to keep me from embracing the stillness I need to really experience that peace that surpasses all understanding.
The golden take away from this conversation wasn’t the realization that I am too often restless. I already knew that. Instead, as I listened I was reminded that the problem really is simply a matter of priority. My friend has a boss who regularly reminds him what his ‘true’ job is. His boss gives him a priority reality check when he tells him, “You are paid to think.”
The Word of God tells us “Seek first the kingdom of God and all of these things shall be added unto you.” What would does it mean for you right now to seek first the kingdom? Is that your highest priority? Are you avoiding what is most important and distracting yourself with busyness? What would happen if you let go of the distractions and embraced seeking the kingdom?
Great story and insight. It reminds me of Mark where Jesus explains the seeds/weeds. Some are planted but never bear fruit because of the weeds of busyness of life, deceifulness of riches and worrying about things. I think I am like that as a Christian. Never quite living in fulness to God because I allow these “weeds” to choke out my growth and thus have nothing to show for my fruit.
Great insight on the connection with seeds/weeds. I hadn’t thought about it in relationship to that text. Thank you for sharing Tim.