Busy Bees Being Too Busy

It seems that in our present society we are always busy. The internet along with many modern technological devices has sped up our lives by allowing us to stay connected to our jobs, ministry obligations, extended family, and friends all over the world. On the one hand, the use of technology can actually save us a lot of work and can help us be involved in the lives of our loved ones who live far away. On the other hand, technology and the busyness it has brought into our lives has made us a society of people who know a lot about people, but actually keeps us from knowing people on a deeply personal level. How can we improve our ability to personally connect with others? I think we should look at the example of our Lord Jesus.

In Mark 10:46-52 we see Jesus making time to assist a man who had suffered for a long time. Jesus was passing through Jericho when Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, hears that Jesus is passing through the area. As soon as Bartimaeus hears that Jesus is passing by him he cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” As soon as the blind man cried out those around him issued a hard word of rebuke and told him to be silent. I love Bartimaeus’ response. He cried out even more!

Here is where Jesus is different from many of us. Jesus was busy. He had important work to do, yet He stops (verse 47) and says, “Call him.” When the blind man gets to Jesus, our Lord asks him, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus requests, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” Jesus then immediately healed this man and forever changed his life.

How does this lesson apply to us today and help us with our problem with busyness? First of all, Jesus personally got involved. He responded to Bartimaeus’ request. When we were assisting with hurricane relief about 7 months ago I was in the midst of helping our church move to a new children’s church program as well as revamping some other ministries. I remember calling LifeWay, our church literature company, about some literature issues. I recall that the actions of a customer service representative brought great comfort to me. She did not ask me to go to a website or wait for her to send an email. She found the literature about which I was inquiring and took a few minutes to look through it to help me find out what was needed. It was her kind, personal assistance that brought peace to my mind in the midst of a very hectic day. May we NEVER be too busy to offer a kind word and an action that displays care and concern. While Jesus was busy, He did not get stressed out about taking time to assist Baritmaeus. His ministry to the blind man did not take long. When we stop to help others we do not have to get tied up in an all day pursuit of fixing the problem, but we can lovingly take time to offer the help that we are gifted to offer or to point others in a direction where they can find help.

Second, Jesus understood His mission. Jesus’ mission was to seek and save the lost. He made connection with broken and battered people by ministering to their physical needs and then healing their spiritual needs. Jesus healed blind eyes and then opened the spiritual eyes so that those healed could see their need for a Savior. We must never forget that leading people to Jesus is our mission. There are certainly some people who like to monopolize our time. I’m not saying we should let these people do this to us, but we must have our eyes focused on demonstrative in our actions and in speaking through our words the hope of the gospel.

Lastly, Jesus was in the process of doing the most important thing that has ever been done. He was in the process of going to Jerusalem to die and pay the price required for the redemption of our souls. The next time you think you are too busy to minster to someone consider Jesus who stopped to heal a blind man while on His way to the cross. Many of the things we are doing are good, but we must not let the good things we are doing keep us from the best thing – leading people to Jesus who will offer them the glorious Good News of the Gospel.