FollowBy Dan Amos
Around our house, one of the most common questions we ask each other is, “What do you have going today?” The default answer is something like, “I’ve got stuff to do, but nothing necessarily scheduled.” Are you busy, too? I come from a heritage of busy people. It’s what I do. So, when the elders looked at the membership covenant this month (you can find it attached to the Elim constitution), I had to reflect on whether my life is in line with it. Then, on Sunday, Steve had us all write an “Eighth Letter to Elim” in the manner of Revelation chapter 2.
The covenant, based on the examples in Scripture, calls us to be disciplined in regular practices of prayer, study, and worship. We’re to be doers of the Word, serving with our time, talents, and things. We are to come together regularly and encourage each other and build each other up.
In all of my busyness, I ask myself, Am I good busy or just busy?
So, my letter to Elim is a personal letter to me, and it calls out my busyness.
It comes from Jesus Christ, the Creator of all things. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, who has existed through all time. He doesn’t just know time; He created it.
He is pleased with our welcoming nature and how we have learned to and practice extending grace. He is the God of second chances, and we are His people.
But He criticizes our busyness—too busy for Him—too busy for each other—too busy for the ones we welcome in.
So, be still. Listen. Be productive with good things. Come together and break bread together. Don’t live your life in solitary busyness.
Why? Because Jesus will be with us always and we can know the peace of being in His will. He will give all that we need to fulfill His purpose for us. Our busyness prevents realizing this.
I’m in my sixth decade of doing this life. (That means I’m in my fifties; count it on your fingers like I did if you don’t believe me.) I’m still learning and hopefully improving, but I know I need to keep working on the good-busy thing. My letter doesn’t speak for everyone, but it’s one that I could imagine getting in the mail.
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Great exhortation! And great eighth letter. (I’m working on mine. 🙂 You’ve set a high bar.)
The only thing I really didn’t like was that part about counting the decades of your life on your fingers. That means I’m in my seventh. Somehow that’s more distressing than I was prepared for.
~ Larry