Previously, I discussed developing a morning routine that prioritizes communion with God. I considered revisiting that topic because there’s always more to say about prayer and Bible reading, but as I mentioned, morning is not the only time for these practices. For now, we’ll move on.
Practical Suggestions for Morning Devotion
That said, I do want to briefly share a few practical suggestions for your morning devotional time. These are things I intended to mention before but didn’t.
Praying and Reading Scripture Together
First, consider whether you and your family or spouse might benefit from praying and reading Scripture together. If mornings are hectic, you could incorporate this into breakfast time. While it’s important to have private moments with God, corporate worship within the family is also valuable. You might find that starting the day together in prayer and God’s word fosters unity and sets the right tone for the day.
Memorizing Scripture
Second, I didn’t mention the practice of Bible memorization. John Piper has said, “I have never met a mature, fruitful, strong, spiritually discerning Christian who is not full of Scripture, devoted to regular meditation on Scripture, and given to storing it in the heart through Bible memorization. And that’s not a coincidence.”
Memorizing Scripture equips us with God’s truth and transforms our hearts. Mornings can be an ideal time to recite and meditate on passages you’re committing to memory. Starting the day this way helps anchor your thoughts in God’s word.
The Value of Singing
Third, let’s not overlook the value of singing. Paul connects “the word of Christ” with singing in Colossians chapter 3. He writes, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col 3:16).
Notice how Paul ties singing to two key goals of a morning routine. First, we aim to absorb God’s word as early in the day as possible. Paul says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col 3:16). Second, we cultivate gratitude. Paul adds, “With thankfulness in your hearts to God.” Sandwiched between these is his exhortation to sing.
Why does the Bible encourage us to sing? Singing helps the word of Christ dwell in us richly. Think about it. We often forget what we read an hour ago, yet we remember songs we haven’t heard in years. Singing God’s truths embeds them in our hearts and minds, and those songs stay with us throughout the day.
Music also influences our mood. Paul says, “Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col 3:16). If you’re not already doing so, try starting your mornings with a hymn. Grab a hymnbook and sing, “Count Your Blessings” or “It Is Well with My Soul.” It’s hard to remain in a foul or neutral mood when praising God through song.
God’s Pattern of Work and Rest
Now, I spent the first part of the week preparing to address the workday. I thought about moving on from mornings to focus on daily labor, whether that’s going to a job, working from home, managing a household, or navigating retirement. But then I read the creation story in Genesis 1, and something stood out to me I hadn’t noticed before.
You’re probably familiar with the pattern in Genesis 1. It begins, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Ge 1:1). Each day ends with the refrain, “There was evening and there was morning,” marking the first day, the second day, and so on (Ge 1:5, 13).
What we usually notice is that God worked for six days and rested on the seventh. This pattern continues throughout Scripture and history. God codified it in the Ten Commandments, saying, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God” (Ex 20:8-10).
We understand that part: work six days, rest one. But as I read Genesis 1, I noticed something else. God often paused during creation.
For example, look at day three of creation:
And God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good.
And God said, “Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.” And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their own kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. (Genesis 1:9-13)
Notice the deliberate rhythm. God creates one part of his masterpiece, pauses to evaluate it, and declares it good. Then, he continues. He doesn’t rush or multitask. He moves systematically and purposefully. There’s no sense of urgency or pressure to meet a deadline.
This approach stands in stark contrast to the way many of us work. The creation account is not just a record of what God did; it’s an example for us. God’s work is intentional, focused, and unhurried. He rests on the seventh day, but even during his six days of work, he demonstrates the value of deliberate pauses to reflect and take satisfaction in what has been accomplished.
This led me to rethink our typical approach to life and work. Before diving into the details of our workday, it’s worth considering how we approach our days more broadly.
The Problem of Busyness
We often ask one another, “How was your day? How was your week?” A common response is, “Busy.” Sometimes, we even smile as we say it, wearing our busyness like a badge of honor. Even if we dislike being so busy, we treat it as inevitable, maybe even necessary.
But when you think about it, our busyness is strange. With modern technology and a forty-hour workweek, we should be among the least busy people in history. Yet, we’ve managed to overfill our schedules, canceling out the advantages we’ve gained.
How many of you sighed when I suggested spending thirty minutes in prayer and Bible reading each morning? Perhaps you thought, How can I squeeze thirty more minutes into my already jam-packed day?
I understand. By the time I leave the house in the morning, my thoughts can already feel scattered. There have been times when I’ve sat in my car, closed the door, and just paused for a moment of quiet prayer to reorient my mind. That’s before the day has even begun.
Busyness can feel like a heavy blanket, suffocating us and stealing our joy.
For me, a significant struggle has always been saying no. I want to help everyone. I want to say yes to every request at work, every favor a family member needs, and every opportunity to serve at church. The result? I’ve found myself overcommitted and overwhelmed, saying yes to so much that I’m physically, emotionally, and spiritually drained.
That’s not the example we see in Genesis 1, is it? Or consider Jesus in the Gospels. He took time to pray early in the morning. He slept on a boat during a storm, so at peace that even the chaos around him didn’t disturb him. When Lazarus was sick, Jesus didn’t rush to Bethany. He waited two more days before going.
Now, we know Jesus was operating on a divine timeline with a specific purpose in letting Lazarus die. But it reminds me of something I once wrote in the margin of my Bible: “Jesus was never in a hurry.”
You might say, “Of course, Jesus was never in a hurry. He’s God. He created time. He sovereignly rules over all things. He doesn’t need to rush. But we’re not God.” That’s true. However, we are called to trust in this sovereign God. We’re called to rest in Christ because we don’t control time or the events around us. Yet, we serve a God who does.
God says:
I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, “My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.” (Isaiah 46:9-10)
And Jesus tells us, “Do not be anxious about your life. … Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Mt 6:25, 33).
The Bible doesn’t give much support for exhausting ourselves with endless commitments. On one hand, laziness is not an option for Christians. On the other hand, we’re not called to be overcommitted, overworked, overtired, and overanxious. Our lives shouldn’t be fragmented by a million competing priorities.
As I reflected on this problem of busyness, I pivoted my study midweek. Instead of focusing on the specifics of work, I thought we should first consider how we approach life and our schedules.
Kevin DeYoung’s Diagnosis
I was reminded of a book I read years ago by Pastor Kevin DeYoung called Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book About a (Really) Big Problem. In it, DeYoung observes how modern technology has changed the way people live all over the world. The same hustle and smartphone culture we see here is visible in places like Asia, Africa, and Europe. We hurry from one task to the next, consumed by endless responsibilities.
The result? Our communion with God and meaningful relationships suffer. Many of us want to slow down and escape this frantic pace, but we feel trapped, unsure how to break free.
DeYoung identifies seven reasons for our busyness and offers one simple, overarching solution. The timing was ironic for me. I was rereading his book at home this week when a client called, asking to meet that evening. I immediately started calculating in my head: It’ll take thirty-five minutes to drive to work, an hour or two for the meeting, forty minutes to drive to church for our midweek prayer meeting… Needless to say, I need this lesson as much as anyone.
Let’s start by establishing why busyness is a problem. Our culture doesn’t usually see it that way. In fact, busyness is often worn as a badge of honor, a sign of our importance or devotion. We might confuse busyness with diligence or hard work.
But it’s worth asking ourselves some diagnostic questions. For instance, do you get restless or anxious when you have nothing to do for a few minutes? How quickly do you reach for your phone to fill the silence? Or, when someone approaches the checkout line at the grocery store at the same time as you, do you feel a sudden urge to hurry and get there first?
These may seem like small things, but they can reveal deeper issues in our hearts.
Three Primary Dangers of Busyness
DeYoung points out three primary dangers of busyness.
1. Busyness Can Ruin Our Joy
When our lives are rushed and overcrowded, we don’t have the time or attention to savor the small blessings God gives us. We miss opportunities to pause, reflect, and meditate on his goodness. We become so focused on what’s next that we lose the capacity for gratitude. The blessings pass us by unnoticed, drowned out by the noise of another email, text, or notification.
2. Busyness Can Rob Our Hearts
In Mark 4:19, Jesus warns how “the cares of the world … enter in and choke the word.” When our schedules are packed to the brim, what usually gets neglected? We still show up for work. We still pay the bills. We still get the kids to their activities and fulfill other obligations. But what often gets pushed aside?
It’s prayer. It’s Bible reading. It’s meditation on God’s word. It’s family worship and discipleship. We may still attend church and even serve in various ministries, but without realizing it, our hearts drift from God. Our spiritual lives dry up. We become spiritually malnourished, even while staying busy “doing things for God.”
3. Busyness Can Hide Deeper Issues
Imagine spinning a top. As long as it’s moving, it stays upright. But the moment it slows down, it wobbles and falls. Busyness can work the same way in our lives. We might be avoiding unresolved conflicts, sins, or heartaches by staying constantly active. We stay busy to ignore the deeper work of repentance, forgiveness, and renewal.
God’s call to us in these moments is clear: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps 46:10). But stillness can be uncomfortable. It forces us to face what we’ve been avoiding. It reveals the spiritual decay that busyness has hidden.
Seven Reasons for Busyness
So, why do we allow ourselves to stay so busy? Why do we say yes to so many commitments and let our schedules become overwhelming? DeYoung offers seven possible reasons.
1. Pride
Pride isn’t always obvious, but it often drives our busyness. We might fear saying no because we want people to think highly of us. We want them to see us as capable, dependable, and hardworking. Maybe we crave the recognition and affirmation that come with being involved in everything. Or, perhaps we believe everything will fall apart without our personal involvement.
Pride can also manifest as perfectionism. We avoid delegating because no one else can meet our standard. We overcommit because we think it all depends on us.
How can we tell if pride is at the root of our busyness? We can ask ourselves two questions.
First, “Am I doing this to genuinely do good, or am I trying to look good?” The actions may appear the same on the outside, but the motivation in our hearts makes all the difference.
Second, “Would I still do this if no one ever noticed or thanked me?” If our busyness is driven by a need for applause or fear of disappointing others, it may be more about pride than purpose.
2. Terror of Total Obligation
The second reason for busyness is what DeYoung calls the “terror of total obligation.” This is the belief that we should care about every need, every cause, and every ministry. Not only should we care, but we also feel compelled to do something about it. We fear that if we don’t act, we’re failing God or others.
Of course, God calls us to do good works, but he doesn’t call us to do every good work. We are finite creatures with limited time, energy, and resources. The world doesn’t rest on our shoulders, and God has designed the body of Christ with many members, each equipped to contribute.
Even the Apostle Paul, who labored tirelessly for the gospel, understood his limits. He planted churches, but others watered. He entrusted the work to local elders and pastors because he knew he couldn’t do it all. As Paul wrote, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1Co 3:6).
Learning to say “no” or “not right now” can be an act of humility and trust in God. If we continually overextend ourselves, we’ll eventually have nothing left to give.
3. Mission Creep
The third reason for busyness is what DeYoung calls “mission creep.” This term, borrowed from the military, describes how an operation can gradually expand beyond its original scope. In our lives, it happens when we lose focus on our primary calling and take on more than we should.
Think about Jesus during his earthly ministry. He was often surrounded by crowds demanding his attention, yet he never lost sight of his mission. He took deliberate steps to stay focused. After dismissing the crowds, he would retreat to the mountains to pray (Mt 14:23). When he healed the leper, we’re told, “He would withdraw to desolate places and pray” (Lk 5:16). In John 6, when the people wanted to make him king, he refused and withdrew to a mountain by himself (Jn 6:15).
Jesus didn’t allow external demands to derail his mission. He stayed focused on what the Father sent him to accomplish.
Several years ago, I read a book called Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. The author used a simple illustration: he showed a circle with many short arrows pointing outward in different directions, and another circle with one long arrow pointing in a single direction. His point was clear: you can scatter your energy across many pursuits or focus it on one. You’ll go farther by concentrating on what’s truly important.
Not everything in life is equally important. We must keep the main things the main things.
4. Fear and Worry About Our Children
The fourth reason for busyness is fear and worry about our children. As parents, we want to give our children every possible advantage. In practice, this often means overloading our family calendars. Soccer practices, piano lessons, youth activities, homework—these things pile up quickly, leaving little room for rest or meaningful family time.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking our children’s future depends entirely on us. But while God calls us to “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Eph 6:4), their ultimate well-being—especially their salvation—is in his hands.
I remember hearing a story from Voddie Baucham. He shared how he and his wife once pushed their children so hard academically that it created stress for the whole family. One day, he realized the pressure wasn’t worth it. He took his kids out of school for the day, apologized, and had a family discussion about their priorities. Education was still important to them, but not at the expense of their family’s spiritual, mental, and emotional health.
As parents, we must trust God with our children. Overloading their schedules won’t guarantee their success or faithfulness. It might even hinder them by fostering stress and anxiety.
5. Technology
The fifth reason for busyness is technology. Technology promises to make life easier, and in many ways, it does. But it’s also a double-edged sword. It consumes our time, fragments our attention, and diminishes our ability to focus deeply.
I read a study that said most college students today have never read a book cover to cover. They’re too accustomed to bite-sized entertainment and instant gratification. The same is true for many adults. Notifications constantly pull us into a digital world, robbing us of quiet moments for prayer, meditation, or meaningful connection with others.
Unless we intentionally limit our use of technology, it will hinder our relationship with God and the people around us.
6. Lack of Rest
The sixth reason for busyness is a lack of rest. Rest is part of God’s design for us. We need physical, mental, and spiritual rest. This means getting enough sleep, slowing down when possible, and seeking renewal in Christ through prayer, worship, and the Word.
D.A. Carson once said, “Exhaustion distorts our view of reality.” When we’re overtired, small problems feel overwhelming and simple tasks seem insurmountable. Rest isn’t optional—it’s essential for maintaining a healthy perspective and a life centered on Christ.
7. Unrealistic Expectations About Suffering
The seventh reason for busyness is unrealistic expectations about suffering. Not all weariness is bad. There’s a category of “righteous fatigue,” the kind that comes from faithfully serving others or laboring for the gospel. The Apostle Paul spoke of the “daily pressure” he faced from his ministry (2Co 11:28).
We live in a fallen world. Even if we manage our schedules perfectly, life will still bring challenges and weariness. However, there’s a difference between the weariness of faithful work and the exhaustion that comes from overcommitment and anxiety.
One Necessary Thing: Communion With Christ
We must distinguish between healthy busyness and harmful busyness. Healthy busyness has a steady rhythm of work and rest and prayer and dependence on God. Harmful busyness, on the other hand, stems from neglecting rest and relying too much on ourselves. It’s driven by the belief that everything depends on us, which leads to burnout.
So, what’s the solution? How do we combat the harmful kind of busyness? Kevin DeYoung offers one overarching answer, which he draws from Luke 10. Let’s read verses 38 through 42:
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)
It’s easy to misunderstand this passage. Some people think Jesus is condemning Martha’s service, but that’s not the case. The problem isn’t that Martha is serving. It’s that she is distracted with much serving. She’s “anxious and troubled about many things” (Lk 10:40-41).
Mary, on the other hand, recognizes what matters most. She sits at the feet of Jesus, listening to him and learning from him. Jesus says, “Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her” (Lk 10:42).
This is the key: one thing is necessary. Before anything else, we must prioritize communion with Christ. Sitting at his feet—through prayer, Scripture, and worship—must take precedence over every other activity.
Communion with Christ should not be an afterthought, something we squeeze in if we happen to have extra time. It must be the foundation of our lives, the thing around which we plan our days. Jesus himself said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4).
If we neglect this spiritual nourishment, we will inevitably feel spiritually malnourished. Our joy, peace, and strength will fade. But when we commit to spending time with Christ, it changes everything. It shapes how we approach our schedules and responsibilities.
We won’t want to overload our days with so much activity that we struggle to draw near to him. Instead, we’ll find clarity and energy for the things that matter most because we’ve been refreshed and nourished by the “bread of life” (Jn 6:35).
Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Mt 6:33). When we align our lives with this priority, everything else falls into place. But when we ignore it, chaos ensues.
Consider Mark 6. When the disciples returned from their demanding mission trip, what did Jesus tell them to do? Did he say, “Go back out; there’s still more work to be done”? No.
He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. (Mk 6:31-32)
This is the pattern we see throughout Scripture: work followed by rest, service followed by renewal. If we’re always active and never resting, we will burn out. On the other hand, if we’re always resting and never serving, we’ll become idle and ineffective. God’s design is for us to draw near to him, frequently and consistently, and then fulfill our callings.
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