Thursday, December 16, 2010

NOW OR LATER

Ever think of what certain words mean?

Like the word “bustle.”

What’s that?

Not the noun – the fancy little bundle at the back of a woman’s skirt way back when…

No, the verb – the ACTION word!

Dictionary definition:

“To move briskly and often ostentatiously (fond of conspicuous, vain display); to be busily astir; noisy, energetic, and often obtrusive (forward, undesirably prominent) activity.”

Some words that are like "bustle"?

Ado, flurry, fuss, commotion, agitation, disquiet, hubbub, tumult.

You get the idea.

Why on earth did I come up with this word – and why now?

Because I am reminded of this word at this very busy holiday season. People are just plain “bustling.”

I don’t think “bustling” occurs just at Christmastime. It’s just a little more apparent now. Because more of us are out. In malls and stores – searching, hunting for those perfect presents.

The snow might be crunching, and the kids might be bunching – but most of us are bustling.

It’s a human thing.

We are enamored with activity. We love busyness. We are compelled to pay attention to the urgent. We are driven…

I think of Shakespeare’s great play, “Much Ado about Nothing.”

Really – what are we doing?

We are chasing after silliness – fortune or fame. Desiring money and earthly security, we are eating crumbs when we should be feeding on the Bread of Life. Craving recognition or approval, we are sipping at puddles when we should be drinking Living Water.

We are replacing Eternity with Activity.

The “eyes” of our hearts are not working right. We’re out of focus – we’re nearsighted.

Jesus warned us against this human tendency toward spiritual myopia.

“Do not love this world or the things it offers you…For the world only offers a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions…And this world is fading away…”
(1 John 2:15-16)

The world offers only a temporary “fix” to that longing in our hearts. God placed eternity in us – and only eternity will fulfill that spiritual yearning. Activity will never do it. Activity is only running away, avoiding and evading the TRUTH.

Are we so busy living FOR the moment that we've forgetten we’re supposed to be living IN the moment?

What does Jesus want in our moments?

He wants us to focus on the important, not the urgent.
He wants us to see people, not things.
He wants us to be faithful and fruitful, not frantic.
He wants us to grow deeper, not be shallow.
He wants us to be intentional, not just busy.
He wants us to live with purpose, not frivolous pursuit.

He wants us to remember, not forget…

“Where your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
(Matthew 6:21)

Are you living like there’s no tomorrow – or living in today?


Are you bustling? It’s not a holiday problem – it’s a human problem.


Activity or eternity?

What’s your choice?


BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God.”

10 comments:

  1. Great message Sharon! One we can all relate to and take in as good wisdom!!!!!

    Thank you for your kind comment on my blog and I look forward to getting to know you better in the LORD!

    Have a beautiful day in Him! Merry Christmas!

    I like the acronym for BLOG!

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  2. I am trying so hard step away from the bustling crowd. I agree with you that it's not a Christmas problem but a HUMAN problem.

    Satan has managed to convince us that there is some sort of virtue in that bustling by calling it "ambition" and "achievement" etc. Really, it's just distraction.

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  3. Hi Sharon -

    Exceptional piece. And the climax - Wow! Yes, pearls and gold nuggets of truth indeed.

    Here we go again, Sharon... - ref: LIVING WATER

    This morning in devotion time (at about 6 a.m. EST) with our Lord He led me to John 4.

    In it are these verses:

    John 4:10 - KJV
    Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

    John 4:14 - KJV
    But whosoever drinketh of this water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of living water springing up into everlasting life.

    Again, thank you, Sharon, for "living" words...

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  4. My pastor did a series few months ago about enjoying God and the life he gave you. One of his key points was learning not to have a trite life (which he described as busy, always on the go, bustling as you put it so well, Sharon) but to have a focused life, getting your priorities in order similar to how you listed it Sharon. Good reminder for us to slow down, stop bustling, and start living with eternity in our hearts!

    betty

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  5. We can only find Him in the quiet and solitude
    of life. Bustling is a human problem, one we
    make ourselves and it draws us away from God.
    Blessings,
    Sandy

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  6. Sharon what an awesome word my dear friend. I love your points on what Christ wants from our moments. By the way have you stopped by my giveaway?

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  7. I want eternity, but sometimes I mess up and I am so busy with activities. sandie

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  8. Lisa - WELCOME! I am so pleased that you joined me on my journey! I also look forward to getting to know you! If there is wisdom in this post, it totally came from the Lord. He had much to say to me about my focus right now - about keeping my eyes on the IMPORTANT things in life.

    Debbie - Yes, yes. Point well made. Isn't it funny how sometimes ALL Satan has to do is get us to "re-name" something - and then he's fooled us yet again? Distraction may be one of his most insidious tools. It's just so hard to be attuned to that in our spirits.

    Sandra - I stand amazed (though it shouldn't surprise me at all) at how God speaks to many of us bloggers at the same time (He seems to do that with you and I on a regular basis!) Doesn't the phrase "living water" just sound SO refreshing and wonderful?

    Betty - I like that phrase "trite life." I remember in my college days, one thing we DID NOT want to do when we wrote essays or term papers was to be "TRITE!" - boring, stale, useless. I think your pastor is absolutely right! FOCUS is key - redefining life in God's terms, with His priorities in mind.

    Sandy - I so agree. One of my favorite verses is "Be still and know that I am God." I feel like He's saying to me - "If you'll only be quiet, if you'll only still yourself - THEN you'll truly find Me and know Me, for who I really am." I don't think any of us spend enough time ALONE with the Lord. And you're right - it draws us AWAY from Him.

    Wanda - Thanks for your comment. I'm thinking I could turn those "points" into New Year's resolutions - what do you think? (I'll try to get over for the giveaway).

    Sandie - Thanks for the honesty. Glad I'm not the only "busy bee" out there, wasting time sometimes on the "busy" part! We ALL mess up - especially me - that's how I can "chat" about this stuff!!

    GOD BLESS, you guys - try not to get distracted, keep your focus, and praise God for His infinite "second chances!"

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  9. This is a powerful and timely post, Sharon. I am a bustler indeed -- but this Advent season, for the first time, I've shifted my priorities (slightly, but still!). I still fall prey to the mania, but some of the activities (like nightly devotions with the kids at dinner) are keeping my eyes on God.

    Thanks for this -- and good luck with your speech!! You go, girl!

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  10. Michelle - Thanks for stopping by! I loved your idea with the nightly "Advent" devotions. Both for the sweetness of the idea, but also for the idea of "slowing down" a bit and re-focusing on the IMPORTANT thing - the birth of the Salvation of the world! (Maybe I should start a Bustler's Anonymous group, eh?!?)

    Thanks for the encouragement about the speech, too - I'm sure you'll hear more about my excitement (panic) as the time gets closer!!

    Have a wonder-FULL Christmas, and GOD BLESS!

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)