Ever feel like your busy life is stealing something precious? In this message, we will explore how busyness isn’t just a modern inconvenience that distracts us from a true Spiritual life in Christ. It is a self-made spiritual barrier that can be as damaging as sin itself. Drawing on Corrie ten Boom’s wisdom that “if the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy,” we will explore how our overcrowded lives can disconnect us from God’s presence and our God given purpose. Ultimately, it seeks to prompt us to ask if we are ready to break free from the prison of perpetual activity and rediscover our living hope in Christ, thereby living out our life’s purpose in Christ. Understanding that kind of life is the only life worth living and dying for.

((Audio Only))

Study Guide

1 – How does Corrie ten Boom’s quote about the devil making us busy relate to our modern struggle with spiritual disciplines?
– Application: What forms of busyness in your life might actually be spiritual warfare in disguise?

2 – How does the illustration of the rope demonstrate the difference between living for today versus living for eternity?
– Application: What specific activities or priorities in your life right now are focused on the ‘short end’ of the rope versus the eternal perspective?

3 – In 1 Peter 1:3-5, Peter describes our inheritance as ‘imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.’ How does this contrast with the temporary pursuits and distractions we often prioritize?
– Application: What ‘imperishable’ priorities should you be focusing on instead of the perishable ones that currently consume your time?

4 – What parallels can we draw between Martha’s distraction with serving and our own tendency to choose activity over presence with Jesus?
– Application: In what ways might you be acting like Martha, choosing good things that are nevertheless keeping you from the ‘better portion’?

5- How does our culture’s definition of success for the church (described as ‘butts in seats and bucks in the coffers’) conflict with living a life on mission for God’s kingdom?
– Application: What metrics should we personally use to evaluate our spiritual growth and kingdom effectiveness?

Bible References

1 Peter 1:3-9
Galatians 2:20
Ephesians 2:10
Matthew 11:28-30
Luke 10:38-42
Psalm 46:10