It seems that in a generation equipped with the most timesaving devices in history we have less time for building and maintaining relationships than ever before. Perhaps it's because we've substituted activity for intimacy, busyness for value. Though many people fuss about how busy they are, the simple truth is that each of us chooses to live this way. We enroll ourselves and our children in classes, clubs, and camps, all good things that can consume our schedules and leave no time for the best things - love, joy, and peace. Busyness, like heroin, tobacco, or alcohol, is addictive. The "buzz" of a hectic lifestyle is intoxicating and like other addictive substances, reveals deeper underlying problems such as a low self image, the need to feel accepted and valued. We may also find it difficult to have genuine face-to-face relationships for the sheer joy of the relationship apart from some hidden agenda. In other words, we may have working relationships, but they are shallow and unsatisfying.

It appears that many in today's generation do not know the blessing of simple fellowship. They have yet to discover the value of simple, unstructured time together. So we become human doings instead of human beings. Busyness makes us feel important, too. Ask anyone how their jobs are going and they'll immediately say how busy they are. This appears to offer some sense of job security. If we’re busy, we must be needed. Similarly, busy family and church lives convince others that we must be important. After all, we reason, people are depending on me. I'm working hard for God. Sometimes we stay busy because we don¹t really want to have time to think about how busy we are. We think if we don’t talk about all the problems we have because we don't have time to discuss the problems we have, they'll simply go away. But we have beautiful homes and talented children, so everything must be ok, right?

What does busyness do?

• Busyness destroys relationships. We say, "It's the quality, not the quantity that counts." Nope. There is no substitute for time spent with those we love. It takes time to play with the kids, visit a friend, and get to know our spouse.

• Busyness robs us of time to reflect, to meditate, and to live.

• Busyness makes husbands and wives can become strangers to each other if they let their busy lives prevent them from spending time with each other. Not only does compulsive activity cause us to become strangers to our husbands and wives, but God becomes a distant cousin as well.

• Busyness also destroys our relationship with God. If we are going to have a relationship with God, we must have time to mediate, worship, to listen and to talk with Him. He tells us to "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10) and we tell Him, "Sorry, but I have a meeting to attend." Tragically, when we lose sight of who God is, we start reshaping Him into our image, making Him into something that can fit into our lifestyle.

So what is the solution?

Holiness means being separated from (and distinct from) the world. As Christians, we are to be fully dedicated to God. Safeguards against busyness include accountability, both personal and within the church.