5 Ways to Keep Christ at the Center of Busy Seasons

Our lives are full of seasons, and many of those seasons are busy. We can often feel pulled in many different directions as we attempt to handle everything. Our families may be heading in different directions, our resources may seem small, and time might appear to slip through our fingers. Through it all, however, we must remain rooted in Christ. Without Him to anchor us in the waves of busyness, we will drift away, and our faith will suffer.

Priorities and practices can help us to keep Christ at the center of our busy seasons.

Put the Big Rocks in First

If you have ever heard the analogy of an empty jar needing to have large rocks put into it first, in order to fit the additional small rocks and sand, then you understand the importance of priorities. We can spend our lives chasing after many important things, but if we don’t intentionally pursue the most important thing, which is Jesus, he won’t fit into our lives.

Colossians 1:17 reminds us that, “He is before all things, and in Him, all things hold together.” Without Christ first, we won’t be able to accomplish all the other things we need to do, or we will burn out in the process. We must examine our lives to see if we are putting Christ at the center. Are we attending church, praying, reading the Bible, and fellowshipping with other believers? If not, then we have been filling our jar with small rocks. It is time to empty the jar and start fresh.

Schedule

The first way to re-center our hectic lives on Jesus is to look honestly and thoroughly at our schedules. If we are tempted to be constantly focused on anything but Christ, then we need to schedule Him in until our focus on Him becomes our primary concern. Write Church down in red on Sundays. Set alarms in your calendar for Bible reading and prayer, and schedule coffee dates with other believers. Choose a night for family worship and schedule it for the whole family. Treat your meetings with God like a meeting with an employer or employee that you would never miss. Is it that important? Amos 3:3 reminds us of the importance of intentionality when it asks, “Do two men walk together unless they have made an appointment?”

Re-evaluate

As you begin your scheduling process, it will be time to re-evaluate your priorities and your activities. If you can’t seem to make time for the most important things, then some less important things may need to go. This might be simple or drastic. It could include going to the gym fewer days, less social media or television usage or even a job change. Take a close look at how you spend your time and what keeps you busy. Are all of these activities necessary, life–giving, and Christ-honoring? Remove some. It may be only for a season, but make sure that what you are removing is not Christ. When he is the center of our lives, our lives will be more efficient, enjoyable, and effective. It is key that we be “rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving,” as Colossians 2:7 says.

Use Auto-Pilot

Whenever we start a new habit or attempt to make a change in our lives, having outside forces to remind or guide us can be very helpful. Whatever you can do to make focusing on Jesus automatic in your life, do it. Set your radio to Christian music so that it turns on every time you are in the car. Leave your Bible on your nightstand or kitchen table. Place scripture cards on your mirrors, doors, fridge, and dashboard. Use a reading program to guide you through the Bible, allowing you to begin quickly. With all the technology we have today, there are many ways to automate Christ to the forefront of your life.

Rest

God is the ultimate rest-giver. Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” When life feels busy and adding in Jesus seems like just one more thing to add to the busyness, we need to remember the characteristics of God that align with peace and rest. If something is burdening us or overwhelming us, it may not be from Him. We need to look for these signals. When there is too much going on in our lives or our home, we need to remember that running to Him is the antidote, not merely another task.

The modern world seems to spin faster and faster, and the demands on our time continue to increase, despite all the conveniences we have. Many people, activities, and distractions compete for our time. When we put Christ at the center, the rest of our lives can circle Him. With Jesus as the goal and purpose for all that we do, we can have direction instead of busyness and joy instead of stress.