Moving at the Speed of God

Ask most people how their day is going and they will say, “Busy!”

We like the word busy. Busy sounds important. Busy sounds like we are doing something. Busy is a badge of honour in our culture.

Jesus certainly had busy days. However, I do not think that “busy” was his word. In fact, Jesus made a point of emphasizing another attitude, as you will see in Luke 8:40-56.

The day begins with Jesus sailing to the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. As he arrives, he can see that a crowd has gathered. They have heard that he can heal people and they need his help. In fact, the crowd is so large and so demanding that they almost crush him as they try to get his attention.

In this group is a man named Jairus. His twelve year old daughter is dying and so he comes to Jesus and begs for his help. Jesus agrees and heads towards the man’s house. Along the way, a woman grabs Jesus’ robe and is healed of a disease. Oddly, this causes Jesus to stop and talk to her. As he is speaking, word comes that Jairus’ daughter has died. Upon hearing this, Jesus says, “Do not to be afraid” and then he carries on to the house and raises the girl from the dead.

What I want you to notice is that none of those things were on Jesus’ “To do” list for that day. Those opportunities came simply because he made himself available to those around him.

Interestingly, scripture never pictures Jesus running anywhere. He walks. He sits. He teaches. Jesus never runs! He does not rush from one thing to next. He does not say, “I would love to help, but I am in a big hurry!” He is never distracted, frantic or worried.

I wonder what would happen if we made a point of being less busy with our own stuff and more available to the people and the needs around us?

I suspect we would find that the most important ministry we do is what we do while on the way to what we thought was most important.

Available beats busy every time!

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