A Hurried Soul

The Hurried Soul Luke 10:38-42; Psalm 46    " . . . there is a world of difference between being busy and being hurried. Being busy is an outward condition, a condition of the body. It occurs when we have many things to do. Busyness is inevitable in modern culture. If you are alive today in North America, you are a busy person. . . . Being hurried is an inner condition, a condition of the soul. It means to be so preoccupied with myself and my life that I am unable to be fully present with God, with myself, and with other people. I am unable to occupy the present moment. Busyness migrates to hurry when we let it squeeze God out of our lives. . . . I cannot live in the kingdom of God with a hurried soul. I cannot rest in God with a hurried soul."  John Ortberg's interview with Dallas Willard, Soul Keeping: Caring for the Most Important Part of You  Busy but not Hurried . . . He took time to get away.     "But now even more the report about Him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear Him and to be healed of their infirmities.  But He would withdraw to desolate places and pray."  Luke 5:15-16   "The apostles returned to Jesus and told Him all that they had done and taught.  And He said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.'  For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.  And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves."  Mark 6:30-32  "And after He had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  When evening came, He was there alone . . ."  Matthew 14:23 And here's why it is necessary . . . A hurried soul crowds out devotion. A hurried soul is a distracted He chose the good portion. "'The LORD is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in Him.'"  Lamentations 3:24   "I say to the LORD, 'You are my Lord; I have no good apart from You' . . . "The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot (life)."  Psalm 16:2, 5  Multiplied Sorrows Vs. Fullness of Joy . . . "The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply . . ."   "Deliver my soul from the wicked by Your sword, from men by Your hand O LORD, from men of the world whose portion is in this life."  Psalm 17:13-14  Help for a Hurried Soul . . . Evaluate the reason for your hurriedness. Busyness unchecked leads to a hurried soul. When I seek to order my busyness, I relinquish peace to a hurried soul. When I surrender my busyness to God, and allow Him to order my steps, I find peace in living out His purposes.  Hurriedness is often a futile attempt to fill an empty The noise of your activity can only drown out the cry of your heart for so long.  Be diligent in spending time with God. Take time to "come away" with Jesus and let Him quiet your soul. (Psalm 46:1-11) A daily time with God.  Find rest by observing the biblical principle of Sabbath. "And He (Jesus) said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."  Mark 2:27 Retreat on occasion.  Recognize that Jesus is the good portion. "I have no good apart from You . . ." Psalm 16:2