Is Busyness Your Badge of Honor or a Barrier to Intimacy with God?
“How have you been?”
“Busy!”
We hear it all the time – perhaps we’ve said it ourselves with a tinge of pride. In our modern culture (church culture included), busyness is often worn like a badge of honor, a sign that we’re important, productive, needed. We flaunt overloaded calendars because it makes us feel valuable. Even in ministry, staying constantly “plugged in” – running from one service project to the next – can be seen as a mark of spiritual maturity. After all, if you’re busy for Jesus, you must be super spiritual, right? In many church circles, “busy” has become synonymous with “significant”.
But beneath that shiny badge of busyness, something subtle and insidious can lurk. Could it be that our hustle for God is actually keeping us from God? Is it possible that in wearing ourselves out doing things for Him, we’re missing being with Him? It’s a tough question, but one worth prayerfully considering.
Constant activity – even good, churchy activity – can mask a shallow or drying spiritual life. We may appear outwardly faithful, yet inwardly feel distant from the Lord. The enemy loves this disconnect. In fact, “if Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy,” as Corrie ten Boom famously warned. One Christian writer noted that busyness is one of Satan’s most effective weapons to keep us from intimacy with God “because we don’t view it as ‘bad.’” It sneaks in under the guise of doing good, yet it quietly steals our focus and keeps us from stilling our hearts before Him. The danger of this spiritual busyness is that it’s deceiving – we might not recognize how disconnected we’ve become until our joy is gone.
The Church of Ephesus is a biblical example of this sobering reality. In Revelation 2, Jesus commends the Ephesian Christians for their many works, perseverance, and doctrinal purity. This church was not idle at all. In fact, they were “very busy working for the Lord” – their calendar was full and outwardly everything looked great. People around them would have thought, “Wow, those folks are amazing Christians – look how busy they are!” Yet Jesus pinpointed the heart of the issue: “I have this against you: You have lost your first love”. Ouch. Despite all their diligent service, the Ephesians’ fervent love and intimacy with Christ had grown cold. Mere works were not enough to please the Lord – He desired their hearts. Their flurry of religious activity had become a poor substitute for the fiery love they once had. What a warning to us: we too can get so busy working for God that we neglect our relationship with God.
We see this theme echoed in an obscure but poignant verse from the Song of Solomon. The bride laments, “They made me the keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept” (Song 1:6). Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth has applied this to ministry life, observing how easy it is to tend everyone else’s “vineyard” – serving, counseling, giving to others – while neglecting the garden of our own soul How often do we hustle to meet others’ needs or fulfill church duties, yet realize days have gone by since we lingered in prayer or Scripture for ourselves? One pastor’s wife admitted, “In my busyness in ministry, I sometimes realize a whole day has gone by, and I haven’t spent any quality time with the Lord I’m trying to serve.” It’s a sobering moment when we recognize we’ve been “feeding” others spiritually while our own spirit is running on fumes.
Even our noblest busyness can become a spiritual distraction. Yes, serving God is good – but service without devotion leads to burnout and bitterness. (Think of Martha, whom Jesus gently corrected because she was “worried and upset about many things” while her sister Mary chose to sit quietly at His feet – a story we know well.) The point is not that work is bad, but that work is empty when it’s disconnected from the love and presence of Christ. As 19th-century pastor Robert Murray M’Cheyne wisely said, “No amount of activity in the King’s service will make up for neglect of the King Himself.” Our value in God’s eyes never comes from how much we do for Him; it comes from being His. He wants our hearts more than our hectic sacrifice.
Why do we fall into this trap? Often, there’s something deeper driving our hustle. For some, it’s the search for significance or approval. One missionary that I was reading from confessed that he became “addicted to busyness” in ministry because he felt productive and important when constantly occupied. He admitted, “I wanted others to see me as significant. Significant people are busy, right?”. His honest reflection was that he feared being seen as lazy – and so he filled every spare minute with something to do, partly to validate himself. Busyness was feeding his pride more than his spirit. How easy it is to equate our frantic pace with our worth! We might fear that if we slow down, we won’t matter as much to others… or even to God.
Others stay busy to avoid facing deeper issues. Keeping the noise and motion going means we don’t have to sit with our thoughts, wounds, or doubts. It’s a kind of socially acceptable escape. But when the constant motion stops, we may find an uncomfortable silence – the very silence in which God wants to speak to us. One author described finally sitting down to pray after weeks of rush: at first her mind couldn’t slow, itching to check notifications, the stillness feeling so foreign. But as she pushed through the discomfort, her soul finally “exhaled” and the thoughts and prayers began to flow. She realized her hurried lifestyle had built momentum that made quiet prayer difficult at first. Perhaps we can relate: when we do get a free moment, we’re so wound up that scrolling our phone or doing anything sounds easier than quieting down with God.
The truth is, hurry and intimacy don’t mesh well. “Being hurried is incompatible with a true relationship with Jesus,” as one church blog put it bluntly. Real relationships require unhurried time and attentive presence – we know this is true in marriage, family, and friendship. How much more with the Lord? If we never slow down, we end up giving God our left-overs – a quick prayer muttered while multitasking, a rushed devotion squeezed between meetings – instead of our full attention. Over time, a hurried soul grows shallow. We might keep doing Christian things, but the joy and peace are choked out by anxiety and fatigue. We become, as the Bible says, “worried and upset about many things” (Luke 10:41) – but Jesus says only one thing is truly needed (v.42). Our hearts know that “one thing” is Him, yet we act like everything else is just as critical.
Jesus himself posed a piercing question: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36). In our context, we might ask: What good is it to gain a reputation for being the busiest, most hard-working servant, yet lose the vibrant soul of your relationship with God? It is painfully possible to look devout on the outside but be dry on the inside. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day prided themselves on religious activities, but Jesus quoted Isaiah of them: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” We don’t want that to be our story.
Thankfully, God hasn’t left us without guidance (and grace!) on this issue. Far from endorsing a frantic faith, Scripture consistently calls us to rhythms of work and rest, service and stillness. Consider these “lesser-known” biblical invitations that speak volumes:
“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life.” The apostle Paul gave this counter-cultural instruction in a busy world not unlike ours. Success in God’s eyes isn’t defined by hustle or noise. Paul knew that our identity and strength come from Christ, not from our packed schedules. A “quiet life” – one with margin, simplicity, and space for God – is not laziness; it’s a bold resistance to the idol of busyness that our culture bows to.
Elijah’s Mountaintop Lesson: The prophet Elijah once stood on a mountain desperate for God’s presence. There came a powerful wind, an earthquake, and a fire – dramatic, noisy events – but God was not in those. Then came a still, small voice, a gentle whisper – that was God speaking (1 Kings 19:11–13). Elijah might have missed it if he hadn’t quieted himself to listen. This story shows that God often speaks in hushed tones, not by out-shouting our chaos. “Scripture tells us that He speaks in a still, small voice” – He’s not going to compete with the roar of our busy lives. We have to slow down and tune in. How many divine whispers have we drowned out by our relentless doing?
Jesus’ Rhythm of Retreat: The Gospels reveal that amid Jesus’ own busy ministry, He frequently withdrew to solitary places to pray. People were clamoring for Him, needs pressing in on every side, yet Jesus made a practice of getting away to be alone with the Father (Luke 5:16, Mark 1:35). He even urged his disciples, after a particularly tiring stretch of ministry, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” (Mark 6:31). Imagine that! God in the flesh saying to His followers: It’s time to take a break. Rest is not just a human need; it’s a divine invitation. Jesus was never in a frantic hurry, even though His work was eternally important. He moved at the pace of love, able to be fully present with those in front of Him. We’re called to follow His example, which means learning to embrace holy pauses. As a church article I read wisely noted, Christ’s “life model” was one of surrendered schedules – slowing down enough to love well. If the Son of God didn’t wear busyness as a badge, why should we?
“Be still, and know that I am God.” This command from Psalm 46:10 is more than a call to quiet; it’s an invitation to intimacy. In stillness, we cease our striving and come to know God deeply. Think of a close friend or spouse – sometimes you sit in comfortable silence together, and it’s in that quiet you truly know and enjoy each other. Likewise, God asks us to be still so that we can know Him beyond the noise. Our souls need that “still water” time with the Shepherd to be restored (Psalm 23:2-3). In quiet trust, we find renewed strength – as another Scripture promises: “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength…they shall run and not be weary” (Isaiah 40:31). The paradox is that waiting on God actually makes us more fruitful than running on our own steam.
“Return to your first love.” Jesus’ counsel to the busy but loveless church of Ephesus was to remember and return to the love they had at first (Revelation 2:4-5). It was an invitation, not just a rebuke. He was essentially saying: Come back to intimacy with Me. Do the things you did when our relationship was new and central. For many of us, that might mean rekindling the simple devotions we’ve abandoned – unhurried prayer, heartfelt worship, time in the Word just to enjoy God’s company. It’s not about adding another task; it’s about reprioritizing the “one thing necessary.” Jesus longs for us to choose “the better part” like Mary did – giving Him our attentive hearts.
So how do we respond, practically and personally? It’s not likely that the world or the church will suddenly stop being busy. The change has to start with our own mindset and choices – by God’s grace. Here are a few reflections and steps toward cultivating intimacy in the midst of a busy culture:
1. Check the “Why” behind your “busy.” Take a prayerful look at your schedule and your heart. Why are you so busy? Sometimes duties are unavoidable, but often we have to admit we’ve said “yes” too often for the wrong reasons. Is it to prove your worth or to avoid something? Are you afraid of stillness? Ask God to reveal the motives of your heart. You might discover, like that missionary did, a mix of pride or fear driving you to overwork. There’s no condemnation in Christ, just an opportunity to realign. Let God’s love assure you that you are already valued – not because of how much you do, but because you are His child. You have nothing to prove. Serve from love, not for love.
2. Embrace the gift of margin and silence. We all have limited hours in a day. Deliberately leave some of them unfilled. This is counter-cultural and might even feel uncomfortable at first. But consider it an act of trust – a practical way of saying, “God, I believe You can run the world (and my church, and my job) even if I’m not going 24/7.” Try reserving small daily “quiet pockets” of time, as well as larger Sabbath rests in your week, where you step away from productivity. Use that time to pray, meditate on Scripture, or simply sit in God’s presence with no agenda. Stillness must be worked at and practiced in our era of distraction, but over time your soul will start to breathe again. In those unhurried moments, listen for God’s gentle voice. Journal your thoughts, worship with no rush. Remember, God isn’t looking for the busiest people, but for those whose hearts are near to Him Give Him access by being available and attentive. As you do, you’ll likely find your spiritual ears becoming more tuned and your heart more refreshed than all those “checked boxes” ever made it.
3. Prioritize “being with” over “doing for.” This is a shift in mentality. Jesus set the example with His disciples: “He appointed twelve… that they might be with him and that he might send them out” (Mark 3:14). Notice the order – with Him first, then sent out to minister. We are called first to relationship, then to ministry. Whenever you plan your days or commit to a new project, consider how it will affect your “with Jesus” time. Protect the relationship. If you catch yourself constantly choosing work for God over time with God, pause and recalibrate. The work will flow so much better from a place of abiding. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches… apart from Me you can do nothing.” If we remain in Him, we will bear fruit (John 15:5). But apart from His presence, all our frenetic activity amounts to little of eternal value. Don’t just work for God – work with God. Walk in step with Him. Invite Him into every part of your day and acknowledge when you need to pull away and pray. It’s in those abiding moments that His love is most deeply felt, and that love will overflow in all you do.
4. Redefine greatness and success. Ask yourself: Do I secretly measure my spiritual “worthiness” by how busy I am at church or how many people I help? It’s time to adopt Jesus’ definition of greatness. He said the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength” – essentially, to love Him with your whole being (Mark 12:30). That is an intimate thing, not a checklist. Yes, loving God leads to loving people actively, but it starts in the heart. Remember Jesus’ rebuke to Ephesus – they did many great deeds, but had forsaken love. In God’s economy, love is the true badge of honor, not busyness. You might serve less in quantity, but do it with greater quality – fueled by a vibrant relationship with Christ. And that is far more pleasing to God. As Jesus counseled, “Keep Jesus first in your heart” and the rest will find its proper place. We must refuse to gauge our worth by the world’s (or even the church’s) hustle metrics. As Paul reminds us, “If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:3). Love for God is our lifeblood, not incessant activity.
Finally, receive God’s invitation to rest – without guilt. Your Father in heaven wants you to live with a healthy soul, not just a busy calendar. Jesus’ well-known call still stands: “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest… learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Note that Jesus doesn’t say, “Go out and prove yourself, then maybe you’ll earn rest.” No – “Come to Me” is the cry of His heart. He is the Prince of Peace, and in His presence we find true peace. When we draw near, we remember that we are loved not for what we do, but for who we are in Him. The pressure lifts. We realize that the world keeps spinning even when we pause, and that God’s kingdom actually advances not by might or by power, but by His Spirit (Zechariah 4:6) – often in ways that are hidden and beyond our frantic efforts.
In stillness, our intimacy with God grows. We begin to delight in Him again, to hear His whispers, to sense His guidance in our days. Our service then becomes joyful overflow instead of drudgery. Ironically, by doing less out of duty and spending more time in prayer and worship, we may find we bear more fruit for God in the long run. As one missionary discovered, God desires to work in us before working through us. When we give Him room to work in our hearts, the work through our hands is more Spirit-empowered and life-giving. Truly, “God doesn’t look for the busiest people; He looks for those whose hearts are close to His”. The state of your heart is far more important to Him than the length of your to-do list.
So, is busyness your badge of honor? If so, you don’t have to wear it anymore. Lay it down at Jesus’ feet. He’s not impressed by our hurry; He’s interested in our hearts. Let Him gently show you a better way – the way of spiritual rest and renewal. Create space in your life for what truly matters: time with your Lord. Like any relationship, it grows when we prioritize it.
Imagine walking with God in the cool of the day, like Adam and Eve did in the garden. Imagine sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening, like Mary of Bethany. This is what you were made for! The work and duties will still be there, but you’ll face them with a soul that’s anchored and nourished. You’ll find that you’re less “strangled by worry” and more filled with peace. You’ll be more attuned to God’s voice and direction, because you’ve taken time to hear Him.
And if you’re thinking, “I don’t even know how to slow down,” start small. Steal away for five minutes of silence today. Drive with the radio off and pray. Say no to one commitment this week and use that hour to rest or read Scripture. Protect a Sabbath day. As you take these baby steps, resist the guilt that will likely nag at you. Remember, Jesus invites you out of love, not shame. He is saying, “Come away with Me and rest.” Not because you deserve it after working hard, but because He desires you. He wants your company. Think about that – your Creator actually wants to spend time with you, one-on-one.
In the end, busyness in itself isn’t “holiness.” A full calendar doesn’t equate to a full heart. Let God redefine success for you: it’s abiding in His love. It’s obedience that flows from relationship. It’s fruit that grows on the branch that’s securely attached to the Vine. The next time you’re tempted to measure your spiritual life by how busy you are, pause and instead ask: How close am I to Jesus today?
May we no longer boast in our busyness, but rather find joy in our closeness with God. As we lead quieter lives and cultivate still hearts, we will discover that intimacy with Him is infinitely more satisfying than the applause of activity. In that intimacy, our service will have power and our lives will bear the mark of His presence. So take off the badge of busyness – you don’t need it. Accept the open invitation of your Savior: “Be still with Me. Know Me. Let’s walk together.” This is the place of true fruitfulness and deep fulfillment. It’s where we experience the love that all our busyness could never earn, and where our souls finally come home.
