“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” – Eph: 5: 15,16 Mahesh Bandarupalli

Objective This talk won't give you an extra hour in your day or an extra day in your week. But it will help you think through why you feel so busy and what you might do about it. It will show how faith in God can make a real difference to the way we live in a high-pressure world How to manage your time and not let it manage you

The Challenge of Busyness Newest problem of the church…or, is it not? Business : And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? Luke 2:49 Whatever your degree, add BA to that: Busy Always!

Why bother? Defeats the primary purpose of our creation : Fellowship with God! I Cor 1:9, I John 1:3, Rev 4:11 Personal disaster Family disaster Fellowship disaster Witness disaster Evangelical disaster Epidemic Rebellions Moral victory to satan!

You wish you could ignore! God will not leave you : Moses, David, Jonah Church will not leave you Family needs you Unsaved souls need you Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here [am] I; send me.

Do you need help? Greater Efficiency Clearer boundaries Attending time management courses or conferences Ask others to pray for you Working on a plan to tackle Allow Bible to re-shape your worldview and redirect our hearts.

What is the main problem? We believe lies!

What do scriptures say? Haggai’s story 1 st of the post-exilic prophets Return from captivity 538 BC

Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built. Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying, [Is it] time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house [lie] waste? – v 2-4 Chapter 1, Haggai

The temple ruins may have looked like this! Time 520 BC

Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages [to put it] into a bag with holes. Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. Ye looked for much, and, lo, [it came] to little; and when ye brought [it] home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that [is] waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. – v 5-9

The temple rebuilt! Time 516 BC

Effects of Busyness INSIDE OUTSIDE Busyness Filling spiritual vacuum with world Depression Dissatisfaction & Discontentment Inhibiting relationship with God Non-productive for God Breakdown Desperation Stroppy & Irritable Change in temperament & attitude No Joy Spat out!! Nominal / Lukewarm Christian

What have we learnt so far? 24/7 living comes at a cost. Often the answer is to examine our hearts and see what is really driving us : PRIORITIES What does your temple look like? Understand the consequences! Rebuilding temple vs Satisfying responsibilities with excellence God shaped void Busyness is a costly habit and establishes a vicious circle

What must we do? Use your time efficiently Sort out your priorities Glorify God all the time Getting to the heart of busyness I'm busy because I need to prove myself I'm busy because of other people's expectations I'm busy because otherwise things get out of control I'm busy because I prefer being under pressure : Sabbath I'm busy because I need the money : Proprietorship I'm busy because I want to make the most of life

Remember! Living with the confidence that what God promises for the future is better than what we see in the present - Heb 11:1 Rebuilding your temple needs commitment; there’s no substitute..meaningful, private & non-negotiable time We have a liberating God; Is 28:16 says :!the one who trusts will never be dismayed! Labour is good, but labour which betrays a lack of trust in God’s ability to provide is idolatrous. Why worry? Lk 12:25 !Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? – GOD IS IN CONTROL He requires of us no more than we can do in the time He gives: this truth liberates us from unrealistic expectations

Before you go…. Look at God’s response to His children v13:I am with you! God has promised His rest to all who are weary and burdened (Mt 11:28). It is up to us to accept it! 24 days to response by Zerubbabel, you can surely do better! Avail the treatment to busyness disease before slavery to time consumes us and handicaps us. PrioritiesPurposed faithPruning