Busier Is the New Prettier

"I know you wouldn't understand," I heard her say, "I am sooo busy. But, it's my calling." The "sooo" was, of course uber-dramatic, and the boast about her "calling" was done with such a superior lilt in her voice, I thought she was going to float off into oblivion. She was saying this to a friend of mine who, though she has no children at home, mentors others in her neighborhood; my friend works part-time, cares for a family member, volunteers when she is able, has a small business of her own, and is a strong prayer warrior -- always ready to pray with someone over the phone or call others and get them praying for a specific need. When did busy become the new pretty? Is this a generational thing? a societal ill? When did women begin measuring their worth by the number of calendar reminders going off during Bible study?

I remember high school. Maybe it was just me, but it seemed as though there were girls who believed "prettier" made them better. Prettier got them the lead in the Spring drama production. Prettier got them the right date and the right friends. Prettier made them captain of the cheer leading squad. Or maybe, it was simply the confidence "prettier" gave them that helped them do things "plainer" girls were afraid to do. Either way, prettier was the perceived power that launched them toward stardom and importance.

Today, it's busier. Does busier mean you are more in demand? more popular? Does busier mean you know what you're doing while others are merely floundering cluelessly through their own idle lives? Does busier mean God likes you better because He chooses you more often? (Does He choose you more often, or do you make up things to do?)

Sometimes, "busier" is the way we avoid loneliness or issues we should be addressing. Sometimes "busier" is the way we tell ourselves we have worth -- after all, we're always being needed by someone, right? Sometimes "busier" keeps us from hearing what God has to say, or keeps Him from doing what He longs to do in us and through us. Look at Jesus' answer to Martha, when Martha requested He make Mary help serve their guests:

"Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:41-42)

Martha's worry and trouble was evidenced by her desire to interfere with Mary's response. Martha looked down on her sister because she was not "busier"; Martha labeled Mary a slacker, someone Jesus needed to whip into shape, someone who would never understand the great pressure on those called to be busy.

Sisters, please understand busier doesn't make you better. (Sometimes busier even means you're not where you're supposed to be.) Please remember we are all called to different roles within the body -- none more important than another. Please encourage one another, whatever our roles. Let's get out of high school and on with life.