When you ask someone “how are you?” One of the most common words that will appear in their response is ‘busy’. We live in a world where it’s all go, go, go. Emails are on our phone and no longer tied to a desktop in the office. Our mobiles are constantly connecting us with the world around us. Our diaries become jam-packed before the month even begins. It can be very stressful! Sound familiar?
That’s probably why Ian Carmichael wrote this book ‘Busy: tackling the problem of an overloaded Christian life’.
I’ll be honest, I was hoping to find helpful tips and things for the Christian to consider as they think about their diary and how they use their time. But I didn’t really find that.
The basic premise of the book is good, the author basically says that we should be busy, but just with the right things.
To that end Carmichael walks you through some Biblical teaching on work, rest, sabbath. The book then takes a step back and looks at the big narrative of Scripture and how God’s plan is for people to go from point A (creation) to point B (God’s kingdom).
What follows is the author telling us about the importance of evangelism and the importance of our decision making about what we do and don’t do intentionally including how we invest in relationships in order to get people closer to point B.
I think I know what the author was trying to do, to help us asses why we’re busy and if it’s with the right things and for the right reasons or not, but it did seem a little bit disjointed and an unusual way to go about it. It felt more like the author wanted to write a book on evangelism and discipling people and choose busyness as a vehicle to get him there.
Don’t get me wrong, there is helpful stuff here, but this isn’t really a book I’d recommend on busyness, if that’s what you’re looking for.
Books are very subjective, you might like it more than I did. Head over to Goodreads and the 10ofThose website where you can find reviews from others that are more enthusiastic about the book. You can buy your own copy here and let me know what you think.
Chalmers' Blog 
Sounds like ‘Prioritising the Gospel or Prioritising Evangelism’ might have been a good title perhaps. I have the book ‘The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry’ to read, which I very much like the sound of. I think its okay to be busy in the sense that you are not being lazy and that you are carrying out God’s calling and works effectively by Gods grace and provision, but not to the extent of burning ourselves out; that is hardly helpful, and I’m sure not what God wants.
Thanks for the ‘recommendation’…
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