Eliminating the word "busy"

Hey Friends and Family of TCC,

I knew this series would be good for me, but I failed to anticipate how much our messages about simplifying life would resonate with so many others. I did get a hint as I prepared last week and Googled “busyness” that it would be a big deal simply by how many articles and blogs have been written on the subject. If you missed Sunday, please watch the service now – go ahead, you’re not too busy!

One thing I had to cut out of my message because I had a time constraint is the suggestion to eliminate the word “busy” from your vocabulary. I challenged our staff to do that a couple of years ago, and I’ve seen it make a huge difference. Eliminating the “busy” from your vocabulary actually lowers your stress. It’s interesting how this label actually increases a person’s sense of being too busy. Eliminating “busy” from your vocabulary also makes you more approachable to others.

I read about a study that showed that when we do an analysis of our lives, most people discover that they are not as busy as they imagine themselves to be. We work ourselves into a scarcity frenzy by our overuse of the word busy. We end up believing the story and feeling the results even when our lives are just fine.

Here’s a list of words I copied from an article on “Ten Words to Use Instead of Busy.” Here’s her list: 1. Intentionally Full 2. Abundant 3. Rich 4. Engaged 5. Wholehearted 6. Captivated 7. Productive 8. Resplendent 9. Dynamic 10. Excited. Why don’t you work to make a switch and see what a difference a word can make!

This week, we’re going to talk about simplifying our consumption of stuff which includes the management of our finances. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for each of us as we gather together and His Holy Spirit draws us to the love of Jesus.

Longing for a simplified life,

Saturday Prayer Focus: Pray for Pastors Brian and Cindy Johnson as they seek to build into our community through the ministries of Bethel Church. Ask God to give them unity, stability and the resources they need to fulfill God’s vision.