It takes a great deal of personal discipline to break from being busy. It’s no small feat to step away from an established routine.

How many people do you know that complain about being busy then go on to explain why each and every activity and commitment is worth the suffering they put themselves through? It’s like listening to someone who is trying to quit smoking, explaining how they hate what it does to them while they light the next one up.

We all do this, don’t we? This isn’t ‘someone else’s’ problem this is something we all do, something we all have to deal with. We feed into the madness of our schedule, act like we don’t have a choice in the matter, & then keep on pressing into the crazy cycle like we actually love it.

Being busy from time to time isn’t a bad thing. Being productive is, in fact, a good, Biblical call on our lives. We all have things to do for the kingdom, gifts to steward and people to share the Gospel with every day. But God never called us to some crazy, frenetic pace that wears us down, kills our spirit and becomes a new god/idol in our lives.

Instead, we need to learn to say ‘no.’ We need to learn how to put on the breaks & even how to run away from certain things.

Try writing down everything you feel needs to be accomplished this week. Make a list. At first it may seem a little overwhelming to look at everything that calls out to you, to all the tasks that ‘need’ to be done. A million voices calling for your attention, no silence, no peace.

But when we look at that list & we ask God where it’s okay & where we need to cut back…and we really, truly listen to His answer, we will be confronted by what is standing in the way of our peace and our growth in Christ.

Pray over it. Don’t be hasty. Listen to learn, learn to grow, grow to be healthy. Learn what you need to open your heart toward and what you need to say ‘no’ to from one day to the next. And then trust God with the outcome.

A new rhythm in your life that mimics His heart will honor Him & it will bring your heart into a place where you are strengthened to handle that day-to-day pace. This isn’t something that needs to wait until New Year’s Day. This is something to pursue today, tomorrow & the next day. This is the beginning of practicing the presence of Christ.

Run away from chaos. Run away from what pulls you away from time with Jesus. Be responsible with what truly matters & honor God with your time, & the growth that brings you closer to Jesus.