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Busy People and Boundaries

Jan 26, 2022 | Boundaries

A blog about Busy People and Boundaries.

The title of this blog, “Busy People and Boundaries” forms part of a SERIES ON BOUNDARIES with the following Index:

 

A blog about Busy People and Boundaries.

Have you ever come across a person ‘complaining’ how busy he/she is while having a grin on their face? Have you seen people talking on their mobile phone while walking up and down (like a lion in a cage), looking ‘very busy’? Have you ever been in a conversation with someone , while the person continually takes phone calls, apologizing afterwards while his/her apology really does not sound like an apology, but more boastful? Have you ever tried to build a friendship with someone, but he/she hardly (or never) responds to any of your phone calls and text messages, because he/she has so many commitments? I have been in many situations like that. For me, this is simply irritating (and disrespectful). An important question to ask is, “what is really going on in the inner life of the other person; let’s call him ‘Mr Busy’?”

Your Identity as a busy person

Being busy does not mean being productive. Being busy does not mean popular. Being busy does not mean important. Being busy does not mean being wealthy. Being busy does not mean you are high in demand. ‘Mr Busy’ may present himself as ‘being busy’ to let others think he is productive; popular; important; wealthy or high in demand; but most of the time the opposite is true. The image ‘Mr Busy’ is trying to portray is celebrated in many Hollywood TV Series and movies with good-looking, wealthy, and ‘together’ (and much loved) actors and actresses. Don’t be fooled. To think you create such an image and identity without paying a price is a lie your spiritual enemy wants you to believe.

To say “yes” to too many things and in this to over cross your boundaries, piling up commitment after commitment on your shoulders; in order to look busy and gain the same adoration as many Hollywood celebrities; will not have the desired results in the long run. Something will give. Either your health; or your friendships or your marriage or your business or your relationship with your kids or your relationship with God. It is impossible to be everything for everyone and to maintain and sustain a life of utter busyness and over-commitment. I repeat, something will give in! When you say ‘yes’ to something; you say ‘no’ to something else. You only have 24 hours in a day with a limited quota of physical energy. The problem is, ‘Mr Busy’ says ‘yes’ to the wrong things or ‘no’ to TOO MANY of the right things… Balance and boundaries are lacking.

Being a Busy Person

Busyness is linked to performance drivenness and performance drivenness is rooted in fear of failure. It is more important to impress people than pleasing your Heavenly Father? If you are ‘Mr Busy’, you have to confront the fear of failure and find a new royal identity as a ‘son’ or ‘daughter’ of a Heavenly Father. You also have to find examples of how to do life differently. Let’s start by looking at the life of Jesus and His thoughts on busyness…

“But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, “Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part.” But the Lord replied to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40-42 AMP)

Jesus was ‘high in demand’; especially when word spread of all the miracles He did. People’s needs did not stop. Even today, needs will never stop. Your to-do list will always be full. Like Jesus, your presence will always be in demand (with your spouse, kids, employer, friends, family, colleagues, etc). We never read in Scripture that Jesus felt guilty when He separated himself from people’s demands to be all alone with His “Abba”. Sometimes He said ‘no’ to the masses and ‘yes’ to his core group of friends whom we today call, ‘his disciples’. Jesus was proactive in His times of rest. He did not live on the defensive, overextending Himself. Jesus recognized and placed value on self-care and rest. In fact, His Father invented the concept of a Sabbath Rest!

“But the news about Him was spreading farther, and large crowds kept gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their illnesses. But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray [in seclusion].” (Luke 5:15-16 AMP)

“About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James up on a mountain to pray.” (Luke 9:28 NLT). Also see Mark 6:31-32; Luke 9:18 & Luke 22:39

“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”’ (Mark 1:35-37 NLT). Also see Matt 14:22-23; Luke 6:12 & Mark 6:46

Busyness poisons one’s intimacy with Father God. Not being rooted and “plugged into” your Heavenly Source is a sure recipe for anxiety and burnout. Set your priorities right. Implement boundaries when you need to ‘fill up’ and like Mary, sit at the feet of Jesus to draw life from Him…

📞 Do you need help with BOUNDARIES? Have you ever considered Life-Coaching? Many of our coaching clients who embarked on this journey, describe it as LIFE-CHANING! If you want to find out more SCHEDULE A 20-MIN FREE ZOOM Discovery Call with us today…

Discover more ABOUT BOUNDARIES – We recommend to read the following Blogs in sequence: 

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