TOO BUSY FOR GOD?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
By Jan Markell
www.olivetreeviews.org
 
Busyness consumes the Western world.  Just as prophesied in Daniel 12:4, we are "running to and fro" and a recent study and book confirm it.  In a book by Michael Zigarelli titled Christianity 9 to 5: Distracted from God, the author reports that of 20,000 Christians interviewed from 140 nations, more than five in ten said they just run from task to task.  They said that a hectic life keeps them from going deeper in their walk with God.
 
Isn't the devil just delighted with such news?!  The 21st century has us so pre-occupied that we cannot grow spiritually or do battle against the enemy.  We can't even stay aware of the issues of the day and be informed enough to pray about them.
 
Adding to this, more than 50% of the pastors in this data say that the same hectic pace is true for them as well.  These are the men who need to be connected to God and be constantly developing their relationship with God if they are going to be teachers of the Word.
 
Could it be that Christians are conforming to the culture which pushes us into such a frantic spin?  How do we dig out if we're caught in this?  Of what real benefit are we if all we can focus on is making our next appointment or deadline?  Does this make us a better employee, friend, or parent? I sense it creates an atmosphere where we become unapproachable because people will see the rat-race of our lives and step aside.  We have then lost our salt and influence as Christians.  Bottom line: We are not going to be effective for the Kingdom.
 
And, this is not fair to God. Our priorities come before His these days. Our dashing is more important than His divine appointments. We communicate with Him "on the run" when, in fact, He deserves quality time.  We grow more distant from Him and then we become tremendous fodder for the enemy!
 
The enemy has made a giant inroad here and I say let's not let him win. Changing priorities may not be easy but it may be mandatory if we want to save relationships, the church, and even the nation-and save souls for eternity.
 
Please don't let God sit at the bottom of your to-do list.