stop being "too busy" for God.

Summary

In this episode of the House of Jacob podcast, Braxton discusses the dangers of busyness and distraction in our walk with Jesus. He emphasizes how easily we can neglect God's presence, His word, and prayer due to a hurried, chaotic world. Reflecting on personal struggles and key scriptures like Matthew 26:36-46 and Psalm 46:10, Braxton calls for Christians to prioritize time with God over the distractions of life. Through his own prayer walk experience, he shares how slowing down and seeking God with a quiet heart can lead to encountering His voice and presence.

Takeaways

• 😀 Busyness and distractions are major barriers between us and God in our spiritual journey.
• 😀 Many people in today's world neglect God because of being too busy or distracted, missing His presence and voice.
• 😀 Christians must learn to balance their walk with Jesus while dealing with life’s demands, avoiding being consumed by busyness.
• 😀 Jesus wants to be the ruler of our schedule, not just a part of it. We should prioritize Him rather than try to fit Him into our day.
• 😀 Distractions are not just idols, but things that shift our focus away from the Father, causing us to miss His guidance.
• 😀 The disciples' struggle to stay awake during Jesus' prayer time in Gethsemane is a picture of how we miss God due to distractions.
• 😀 We need to shift our mindset from trying to 'fit God into our schedule' to actively making time for Him at the start or end of the day.
• 😀 It’s essential to practice being still before God, as society’s hurried culture makes it easy to overlook our relationship with Him.
• 😀 Being still allows us to hear God’s voice, which can be easily drowned out by the noise of daily life and distractions.
• 😀 Personal testimony emphasizes the need for slowing down and focusing on God, as a busy lifestyle prevents us from hearing His voice and experiencing His presence.

Q & A

What is the main theme of this episode of the podcast?

The main theme of this episode is addressing busyness and distractions in our lives, particularly how they prevent us from spending quality time with God. The host emphasizes the importance of slowing down and making time for prayer, scripture reading, and relationship with God.

Why does the host believe busyness is a major barrier in the walk with Jesus?

The host believes that busyness is a significant barrier because it leads to distractions that cause people to neglect reading the Bible, praying, and spending time with God. In a fast-paced world filled with distractions, people often become too busy for God.

What scripture does the host reference to highlight the issue of busyness and distractions?

The host references Matthew 26:36-46, where Jesus asks His disciples to stay awake and pray with Him, but they fall asleep. This passage is used to illustrate how, like the disciples, we too can become distracted and neglect time with Jesus due to busyness.

What does the host mean by the 'demonic lie' about being too busy for God?

The 'demonic lie' refers to the misconception that we are too busy to make time for God. The host argues that it is not that we are too busy, but rather that we are not intentionally setting aside time for God. People can always find time for God if they prioritize it.

How does the host suggest we should approach our daily time with God?

The host suggests that instead of trying to fit God into our already busy schedules, we should prioritize Him first. For example, starting the day with God or setting aside dedicated time at night for prayer and scripture reading to ensure God is the first focus of the day.

Why does the host personally prefer spending time with God at night?

The host prefers spending time with God at night because after completing all other tasks for the day, his mind is clear, allowing him to focus fully on God. He finds that he can pray and read scripture more effectively when he is not distracted by the day’s responsibilities.

What is the significance of Psalm 46:10 in the context of this episode?

Psalm 46:10, 'Be still and know that I am God,' is highlighted to stress the importance of slowing down and being still in the presence of God. In a hurried world, it is essential to take time to quiet our minds and acknowledge God's sovereignty.

How does the host describe his personal encounter with God regarding busyness?

The host shares a personal experience where, after months of feeling distant from God, he began going on prayer walks. During one of these walks, God spoke to him, revealing that he had been too busy and in a hurry to hear His voice. This encounter taught him the importance of slowing down to hear from God.

What lesson does the host learn from his prayer walk encounter?

The host learns that busyness was not preventing God from speaking to him; rather, his own hurry and distractions were preventing him from hearing God's voice. He realized the need to slow down and make space for God in his life.

What advice does the host offer to those feeling overwhelmed by their schedules?

The host advises individuals to slow down and make time for God. He encourages them to be intentional about setting aside time for prayer, scripture reading, and worship, even in a busy world. It is crucial not to neglect these spiritual practices due to busyness or distractions.