I’m sure you are familiar with the concept of “busy work.” It’s the work given in an educational setting that keeps the students occupied for a period of time but doesn’t contribute much to the overall educational goals. Teachers use it when they need to work with smaller groups of students. Or when they need to get paperwork done. I think we’ve all experienced this at one time or another. But a couple of weeks ago I realized the concept of “busy work” had crept into my spiritual life.
When we were on a week long business trip recently, we decided to go to a local church on the Sunday morning we were there. The pastor preached on “I am the vine, you are the branches.” A very familiar passage and concept, one that has been significant in my own spiritual journey. So while I was listening and engaged, I wasn’t necessarily expectant.
But the Holy Spirit tends to speak loud in those kinds of situations, doesn’t He?
As I was listening to the pastor talk about bearing fruit—both internally, as in the Fruit of the Spirit, and externally, as to the work the Lord gives us to do here on earth—a thought plopped loud into my head. An idea I’d never considered before:
God doesn’t give busy work.
Within a few moments I knew exactly what that meant, and I bowed my head in repentance.
You see, when the Lord brought extraordinary circumstances to bear in my life last year, providing not only an agent but a book contract, I was elated. I have continued to be elated because I have something to do. I’m no longer bored or waiting around on other people or even just reading all day. My days have purpose—to meet my deadlines. To try for other book contracts. And I’ve been blessed to indeed have a second book to write.
I know those things came from God. I have worked hard on them. Been grateful for them. But honestly, I thought of them as “busy work.” I unconsciously pictured Father God patting me on the head and saying, “Here’s something to keep you busy and out of the way.”
But God doesn’t give busy work.
As the pastor continued to talk about fruit that comes from abiding the vine, my conviction grew. I hadn’t considered my current work as fruit for the kingdom. Because of the nature of these publications, I don’t even own my words, I’ve simply been hired to write them. Even the republishing of my previous books. They aren’t new except for covers and my name. See? It all seemed like busy work.
And yet is isn’t. Because the truth is that the branches that abide in the vine bear fruit in all things because that’s what they are made to do. The vine doesn’t give the branches “busy work” that leads to nothing.
And so I’m in the process of changing the way I’m looking at some things in my life at the moment. Have I considered this or that as “busy work” or as a call from God to bear fruit for His kingdom in some form or fashion? Because how I view my work is important. It is part of being a healthy branch attached to the vine.
But understanding this had led to a further reminder of truth. God doesn’t give “busy work” because I’m not an afterthought. An inconvenience. He hasn’t set me aside. He doesn’t just need to keep me occupied so I won’t bother Him. No, He has fruitful work for me to do. Big or small, doesn’t matter. If He’s given it, it is important, and I need to view it as such.
How about you? Is there something in your life right now you’ve thought of as “busy work,” not really important to God or His kingdom? Is it something you need to let go of or something you need to shift your mindset about?
Latest posts by D'Ann Mateer (see all)
- Graduation Throwback - May 21, 2025
- The Cheer Squad - May 7, 2025
- Guest Post: Crystal Caudill - April 16, 2025
I’m inspired by your thoughts. I need to ponder how I can apply them. Thanks for giving me a nudge.
You’re welcome! I’m always grateful when I get to share what the Lord has been sharing with me.
Great post today, D’Ann. I think we all need this reminder. I have a cross stitch piece hanging in my office with Colossians 3:23 embroidered on it – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man.” I need to remember that there is no “small” work in the Kingdom. It all has purpose and can all be used for His glory. Therefore, I need to give my best effort every time. Just like those loaves and fishes, if we place our meager work in His hands, he can multiply it and feed thousands.
Love that verse–and the application with the loaves and fishes. We so easily forget from day to day all the Lord has done for us, even in the small things.
Great post to encourage thinking about how we spend and view our work and lives.
However, I must respectfully respond to your statement about educational busy work. I began my educational career substituting for four years, then taught preschool for eight, finally ending with teaching 5th grade for 23 years. Never in that time did I give ‘busy work’. I would have lost my job if I had. Everything was either prep, practice, or product to be recorded, charted, analyzed, and explained in my monthly meeting with my principal. We have been in the age of high stakes testing for decades, so accountability was stressed, taught, and demanded. Although it made me a better and more informed teacher, ready to answer questions about each student, I hated the pressure it put on both teachers and students. During my last 15 years, I taught two sections of language arts – one including a ‘cluster’ of gifted students among my other high and average students; the other including some special ed and at least 3 ESL students in the classroom mix. One example of situations I constantly struggled with was a Spanish/English beautiful and smart young lady, who worked so hard. Her grades were A’s and B’s, but whenever she took the computer reading test to determine her reading level (several times a year), she couldn’t score above 2nd grade level. I explained to her that this test was vocabulary based, and she didn’t have enough of an English base to be successful on this particular test.. She was constantly put in after school tutoring classes, and couldn’t choose an elective when she went to middle school. This was such a disservice to her. I was so happy to retire in 2014 and am constantly aware of the challenges students and teachers have additionally faced over the past few years.
Kudos to you! Your are correct that good teachers don’t give busy work. But many out there have, and do. Of course God is the perfect teacher so it just makes sense that He doesn’t give busy work, right? So many educational challenges in the past few years. My son and sisters and sister-in-law are currently teachers, so I get that!
I know you do. Lifting up the teachers in your family and all teachers. My nephew and his wife are currently contemplating career changes, which would be a shame.
Thought provoking and inspiring! Thanks, D’Ann!
🙂
What a good reminder. The work we do has eternal consequences if we trust it to our God and ask Him to speak through us. Not “busy work” at all but building a ministry. Thank you D’Ann.
You are welcome. 🙂
Oh, this was a wakeup call to me. Thank you for posting this.
You are welcome! I love when I get to share an insight from the Lord that isn’t just for me! 🙂