We live in a busy culture. There's an unspoken (and sometimes spoken) rule that activity equates to productivity, yet I challenge the idea that busy-ness translates into fruitfulness for the kingdom.

If we look at Christ's example throughout the gospels, we find that most of His ministry happened in the margins of unplanned time in His life. As He traveled from city to city, He was often stopped along the way by someone desperate for healing. And I can't seem to find any part of scripture that shows Christ denying them help because He needed to make "good time" on His travels. He allowed the Father to chart and number His steps, and the result was the most effective/fruitful walk in history.

But since most of us are scurrying around from one activity to the next, I fear that we often fail to even ask for God's wisdom regarding how to plan our days. This certainly isn't what God intended because He told us in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to "pray continually."

For some this might seem like just another thing to add to a mile-long to-do list, but God understands how pivotal prayer is in our efforts to get any (much less all) of our daily tasks done.

John Wesley once said, "I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it."

I think Wesley was onto something. He, like Christ, trusted God to number His steps each day. Maybe you don't have "several hours" to spend in prayer this morning, but it is crucial to at least begin your day in His presence. Ask God to chart your course today, to help you use your time wisely, to see the needs around you, and to make you more than just busy.

Making It Personal:

• How can you readjust your schedule in order to MAKE time to pray this morning?
• What would it look like for you to begin "praying continually" throughout the day?
• PRAYER FOR TODAY:
  Father, today I need you to number my steps. Give me Your divine guidance as I move throughout my day. Help me experience what it is like to stay connected to You minute by minute. Let me live my day with an agenda far greater than a to-do list.