Spiritual Busyness

Sometimes I think that the greatest detriment to a deepening intimacy with Christ is Christian busyness. In fact, I think we hide behind our busyness making others think we are embracing God when in actuality we are holding Him at arm's length. Christian busyness puts me in control of what God gets from my life, impresses others with my "spirituality," while at the same time refuses to allow God to be in complete control. Activity is so much less threatening than access. We are afraid of what He will ask of us. And we are afraid of what people will think of us is we set aside our busyness and take the time to be at His feet alone and learn of Him. The first fear is a denial of God's goodness and love. The second fear is hypocrisy--doing the right things for the wrong reason--in perhaps its most subtle form. An ever deepening walk with Christ demands that I spend time just listening and waiting for His leading. Will I be ready to take my most costly perfume and pour it on His feet in surrender and gratitude even if the Apostles themselves are sitting there criticizing me? Only if I have learned through time alone with Him that He is the only one whose "well done" I need. And want.