Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem
How Busy is Crazy Busy?
Have you been busy lately? Do you have too many agenda items to juggle? Is the important getting lost in the midst of the urgent? I might have a simple solution to your problem… but, prepare yourself, it may feel counter-intuitive. My solution? Stop what you’re doing and read the book Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung.
Why Should You Read It
I’m guessing that you are like me and that we share a tendency to buy into our cultures message that busy is better. I’m also guessing that you could benefit by hearing from a busy but thoughtful pastor who has defined the difference between sinful busy and a God-honoring type of busyness. Finally, I trust that we could all benefit from being reminded of what’s most important in life: God, his Word, and people.
Some of My Favorite Quotes
"One diagnostic question that has been helpful to me in discerning what is people-pleasing, self-aggrandizing pride, and what’s genuine service to others: Am I trying to do good or to make myself look good?" (39)
"Jesus was tempted in every way, just as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15). And that includes the temptation to be sinfully busy. But he wasn’t. Sinful, that is. He was busy, but never in a way that made him frantic, anxious, irritable, proud, envious, or distracted by lesser things. When all Capernaum waited for his healing touch, he left for a desolate place to pray. And when the disciples told him to get back to work, he left for another town to preach. Jesus knew the difference between urgent and important. He understood that all the good things he could do were not necessarily the things he ought to do." (54)
For those wanting a chuckle: "In addition to setting priorities, I must establish posteriorities. This is Drucker’s word for the things that should be at the end (posterior) of our to-do list." (61)
And finally, for some motivation to be a person of prayer: "And yet, few things demonstrate our devotion to Christ more than making time with him a priority each day. As JC Ryle observed, “A man may preach from false motives. A man may write books, and make fine speeches, and seem diligent in good words, and yet be Judas Iscariot. But a man seldom goes into his closet, and pours out his soul before God in secret, unless he is serious.” (114)
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