From Sundi Jo: This is a guest post by Bianca O’Brien. Bianca is a newly wed Navy wife and a transplant to the Sunshine State of Florida (for now). She enjoys volunteering and serving others, baking and cooking and she has a passion for sharing the gospel with her words and actions.  Bianca writes about memories, experiences, lessons learned, food & cooking, crafting and plenty of other facets of life on her blog. You can also find her on Twitter and Facebook.
Recently I was talking with my best friend about a concept quite foreign to both of us: rest.  As avid lovers of the Lord we are continually in the mindset of serving with a “go, go, go!” attitude.  That got me wondering, “Is there such thing as being too busy working for God that you actually can miss out on God himself?” I think I might be on to something here.
From the moment a new believer accepts Christ in to their lives the list of to-do’s begin. Read your Bible everyday. Go to church. Get an accountability partner. Join a small group. Lead prayer times. Go on a mission trip. Serve in local outreach. Get discipled. The list goes on and on…
Even if it’s with good intentions that we steer Christians toward this mentality of doing and not being, we are still doing them tragic harm.  At that point we are subliminally, if not overtly, teaching them that the Christian life is not about God, but rather it is about us and how are doing with our to-do list.
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
If Christ, who is our Example, had moments of solitude and rest as He walked on earth, then how much more should we, flesh-battling sinners do the same? We are always plugged-in, turned on or broadcasting our cause; we are always pouring out.  But what about being filled up; what about resting?
One of my struggles is finding approval in others and in what I accomplish.  This often manifests itself in my to-do list.  For years I’ve struggled with balancing my time in a way that best keeps me filled with the qualities of Christ that I seek to pour out.  I was fortunate because recently I got married, moved to a new state where I knew no one and started a new job working from home.  Instantly my schedule was wiped clean! Almost overnight I had a chance to start new – without hurting anyone’s feelings. This time I took my schedule more seriously. I guarded my free time and just as feverishly as I used to pencil in activities and coffee dates, I’ve been protective over my valuable alone time.  My husband and I are in a small group, we do attend church regularly and we do serve. But we also have days where nothing is planned. And the reason we do that we are free/available for God to do something in our lives.  Sometimes it’s a phone call from a desperate friend needing guidance or prayer, sometimes its’ baking sweets to share with the maintenance man of our apartment complex and sometimes it is a night alone, to rest in silence and meditate on God’s truths.
God is sovereign and I believe wholeheartedly that no matter what I might have going on in my schedule – He could interrupt it to achieve His purposes. However, there is something deeply satisfying when I choose to let go of my to-do list, when I choose to make room for Him to move. In being obedient to resting, I make time with God what I treasure above all else.  Don’t make God an interruption; make him a your first choice – a prized treasure in your life.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
Check your motives – why do you stay so busy? Do you live for the accolades? The acknowledgement? Turn off the computer one day. Silence your phone. Empty your calendar and retreat to a place of solitude to spend time with your Maker.  Be still and listen – hear a word from the Lord.

“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” (Psalm 37:7)
A friend of mine recently went to the hospital for stress-related issues. As a full time ministry worker she’s pressed on all sides for her time and it’s taking a toll on her not only spiritually, but physically too. As a result of this wake up call, and fervent prayer, she decided to step back from ministry for a season to rest and refresh.  Would it take a hospital visit to make you stop and rest? Is an IV the only thing that could hold you down right now?
Sometimes the Lord intervenes on our behalf to save us from our own stubbornness: our own pride that won’t let us slow down.
Do you recall when Jesus was in the garden the night before his arrest? Was he planning an escape? Was he still actively ministering? Was he conversing with the disciples?
No, He was seeking the Lord in prayer.
Alone.
In the darkest hours, and even in the mundane ones, it’s crucial that we stop and realize our greatest need isn’t time. It isn’t resources. It isn’t pity. It isn’t even friends or family.
It’s God.
“If you love me, obey my commandments.” (John 14:15)
The fourth commandment is “observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God.” (Exodus 20:8)
Let me encourage you that saying “no” to things that are not the best use of your time is not sinful.  Make it a habit to never agree to anything right away – but buy yourself time to pray and consider your time before you commit.  Make it a practice to give God your first fruits, not your tired, 5-minutes-to-spare leftovers.
What things can you let go of to give yourself more time alone with God? What things are you holding too tightly that perhaps you now realize you should let go of and entrust to Him? Will you practice obedience and allow Him to quiet your heart and help you focus on His direction for your life?
I can’t promise what He will do for you, or tell you your life will be at its fullest, but I can promise you with complete certainty that He is all you need.  Christ is the greatest treasure.