Everyone has gone back to school. No more sleeping in or spending the day just lying around. Now it is back to cracking the books, homework, and lots of activities.  Parents are rushing around in the mornings getting lunches packed and getting the kids off to school as well as coordinating who will pick up the kids and what’s for dinner.  Have you noticed how September always brings an increase to the amount of stuff you need to do, places you have to be, and events you have to attend?  
The church is not immune to the schedule change either.  We are headed back into the full fall schedule with Sunday School and AWANA added into the calendar each week.  Men’s group and Ladies’ Bible study are gearing up to begin soon as well. Each of us probably has some clubs or hobbies that we belong to that will meet at least once this month.  Add in the kid’s sports and extracurricular activities and we are officially busy…  And we haven’t even talked about work and chores around the house yet!

I feel like I need a nap just thinking about it!

Is being busy necessarily better than not being busy?  Can you pack too much church and Christian fellowship into your life? Are we necessarily better people because we are going, going, going—24/7?

In the past, most people had to work from sun-up to sundown just to eke out an existence and put food on the table.  Now most of us pack our schedule so that we can earn money for extras and so that we can enjoy a few luxuries.  Or we chase after hobbies and activities that suck up exorbitant amounts of our time and energy.

At what costs do these things come?  Are they always worth what we invest in them?  What price do we pay?  Is it a good deal?

It is often hard to judge the intangible value of our activities.  For example, you decide to go to a mid-week bible study at the church. That means you’ll be gone away from the family an extra evening.  If you are benefitting spiritually from the study and you have other nights where you are spending time with the family, this is probably a good investment of your time.  However if you are gone every other night and never have an evening with your family, that doesn’t sound like a good investment.  Perhaps going to a bible study would be more beneficial to you than some of the other ways you spend your time.  If that’s so, cut something else out of your life before you add one more thing.  
 
I am a firm believer in taking advantage of the opportunities the church offers towards spiritual growth and vitality; however, I realize that no one should be at the church doing everything that we offer.   That wouldn’t be healthy.  
 
And you should also consider balancing your life with things where you take in and things where you give out.  Bible study and discipleship are fine—but you should also do something where you serve others and put to use everything that you’ve learned.  Volunteer and serve others in some meaningful fashion.  There are lots ways to serve in the Church or in the community.  Find a need and fill it.  God has gifted each believer with the ability to serve others and He expects us to put those gifts to use. He didn’t create anyone to merely sit in the sanctuary and soak everything up.  Like a water balloon, eventually you’ll pop from too much pressure. You’ve got to give out in balance to how much you are taking in.  
 
In the Old Testament Book of Haggai, the prophet’s message begs us to look at our priorities in life.  There needs to be a balance between meeting our own physical needs and giving God priority in our life.   Scripture says there will be repercussions if we let our lives get out of balance. Just because everyone else lives that way—doesn’t make it right or healthy.  So take a break.  Prayerfully look at your life.  How do you think God would evaluate your schedule?  What adjustments do you think He would want you to make?  
 

But seek first his kingdomand his righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well. 
Matthew 6:33
 


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