Tuesday, April 24, 2007

In Other Words...

"Busyness is not a spiritual gift." - Lisa Harper

Well, it would seem lately that instead of deep, pondering thoughts, I've been having brief bursts of insight that flash and fade! LOL So, to prevent some of the fading, I decided to share this one! I read this quote on Friday and no inspiration struck. But, as I did my reading for my Godly Woman 101 devotions this weekend, something struck me.

I've been reading about Ruth, Esther, Lydia, Deborah, and Mary so far over the last three weeks. As I find what strikes me as a godly woman characteristic, I've been listing them in my right column as a reminder to myself. There are things like brave, faithful, humble, impassioned, loyal, obedient, sacrificial, and vigorous. After reading Lisa Harper's quote again, I noticed something...nowhere in that list does the word "busy" appear.

Yes, a Proverbs 31 woman rises before the sun (v. 15), works with her hands (v. 13), brings food from afar (v. 14). However, as is also mentioned in verses 25, 26, and 30, what is more important is that she is strong, honorable, wise, and (ultimately) fears the Lord. Those other things are nothing if she is not focused on the Lord from the get-go.

Being busy - even in church work - is NOT "enough." A strong, abiding love for Christ is.

Click over to Christine's Fruit in Season and see what insight others have gained from this quote.

8 comments:

Denise said...

Well said, thanks for sharing.

Karen said...

I like that quote!! Sometimes I know that my own life gets so busy that I can't even see my other spiritual gifts!

Lori said...

Beautifully well said!!!!

Nise' said...

Great post, sometimes we get our thinking messed up that if we aren't "doing something" we are serving! Thanks for reminding us what the most important thing is
"a strong, abiding love for Christ"

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your post thanks so much for sharing. God Bless

Debbie said...

Great post. I have especially enjoyed your post on godly women! :)

Christine said...

Many have mentioned the difference between "doing" and "being" and I think you hit the nail on the head with those verses from Proverbs 31. She is a woman who does a lot, but all with a heart for God, not just to be "busy". Thanks for posting your thought before it got away! ;)

Miriam Pauline said...

Thank you for sharing. Praying that we all develop that "strong abiding love." Blessings.