ARE YOU BUSY?

“I love the Lord, because He hears my voice and my pleas.  Because He has inclined His ear to me. Therefore, I will call upon Him as long as I live.” (Psalm 116:1-2 NASB)

One of the following examples surely has been experienced by you, especially during the pandemic when so many people are working from home, going to school at all levels from home, teaching from home, and even seeking jobs via the multiple virtual outlets available to individuals today.  Maybe none of those examples fit.  How about these?  You finally have some alone time to pray and read the word of God.  Or, you have piles of paperwork on your desk or dining room table as you prepare your taxes.  Still there is the possibility that you have an online conference call taking place with an organization at which you serve as a volunteer.  I’m out of examples, but I know that you will have some examples unique to your own experience that you will readily identify after reading on.

I will tell you about the one that resonates with me.  That’s the example related to the working from home situation.  On more than one occasion, I have gone into my wife’s home office and asked, “Are you busy?  Do you have a minute?”  While she graciously accommodates me and demonstrates great patience, usually, there are times when she has to explain, “I’m working.  I’m ‘at work.’”  Oh let me be honest.  Even before the pandemic, I would call her during the workday from home where I’ve worked from for years, and I have asked, “What you doing?  Are you busy?”  We were talking about that over breakfast a couple of days ago, and we laughed for more than a minute at that one because the obvious answer we recalled was, “Uh…yes.  I’m at work.”  (Notice that I did not use exclamation marks to misrepresent her patient response!  Whew!  Avoided digging that hole, didn’t I?)

I have learned (Come on preacher!  Sound like the Apostle Paul will ya!); I have learned when and when not to ask “Are you busy” or to call anybody’s work office and ask, “What are you doing?  Are you busy?”  Of course they are!  They are being paid to work!  Like I said, “I have learned.” 

Now all through my life, I have learned another thing that is beneficial when I want to talk with someone.  Actually, not just any someone, but the One and only Someone that I can call on any time and it will be the right time.  Yes, there is One of whom we say, “Call Him morning, noonday, and night…and…there is no need to worry!  He will be there.”  And it is good to know that His ears are open to hear what we have to say, and His loving arms are ready to help us with whatever we need help with!  Like we say, “His line is never busy!” And by experience, I know that He does not look at me as interrupting His day!  I know by experience that He does not look at me as an intruder, interfering with His work!  I know by experience that He does ignore me for one second!  Thank God that we can call on Him when we need Him!  Thank God that He is never too busy!  Thank God that we are His work, or better said, His workmanship!  Thank God for His merciful and gracious characteristics!  Thank God that He cares for me!  Thank God, get ready to be happy; thank God that He cares for you!  Why don’t you call Him up right now!  You don’t have to wait until you attend your worship service tomorrow!  (I did use any exclamation marks after the last two sentences.)  Call Him without any reservation, without any hesitation, and without any procrastination!  Be blessed!

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV)

Still committed to the climb, 

Mark L. King