The Gift of Doing Nothing

Søren Kierkegaard once wrote, “The result of busyness is that an individual is very seldom permitted to form a heart.” And isn't it true? In a world that demands constant productivity, where time is money and value is measured by what you produce, stillness seems wasteful. Yet, according to Scripture and soul-deep wisdom, the most important parts of us our compassion, creativity, joy, and spiritual maturity are often forged in the fires of stillness, not speed.

For many Christians, especially those in leadership, the addiction to busyness feels righteous. We're busy for God, right? But beneath the surface, constant activity can become a way to avoid self-examination, relational depth, and genuine communion with God. What if our unrelenting drive to produce is not faithfulness but fear?

The Burden of Expectation

In our culture, the phrase “don’t just sit there, do something” has become an unquestioned mantra. And yes, hard work and diligence are virtues. But when productivity eclipses love, we’ve veered from God’s path.

Jesus, when asked what matters most, didn’t say, “Be efficient.” He said, “Love the Lord your God” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39). Love is not measured in tasks completed, but in presence, attention, and care. Love slows down.

Ask yourself: What do you believe God expects of you on a given day? Many of us unconsciously assume He wants constant output. But what if He wants something different something deeper?

Busyness as Avoidance

The deeper danger of busyness isn’t merely burnout; it’s blindness. We lose sight of the subtle movements of the Holy Spirit, the quiet needs of those around us, and the unhealed wounds within us. A fast-paced life dulls our sensitivity to conviction and wonder alike.

Think of the last time you sat in silence not scrolling, not planning, not rushing just being. How did that feel? Uncomfortable? Maybe even painful? That discomfort can reveal a lot. Busyness often covers up what we don’t want to face our regrets, fears, and unprocessed pain. It also covers up our unique wiring our gifts, our callings, our real desires.

The Gift of Slowness

When we slow down, something remarkable happens. Our breath evens out. Our mind begins to stretch. Our heart reawakens. In the slowness, we begin to notice again our own thoughts, the needs of others, and most importantly, the presence of God.

Kierkegaard was right. A heart can only be formed when it's given space. In the silence, we reflect. We remember. We repent. We dream. We begin to see others with compassion again. We start to hear God’s voice often a whisper, not a shout.

Slowness isn’t just about mental clarity; it’s about spiritual vitality. Extended times of solitude and silence disciplines cherished by Christians throughout history are necessary for a deep and vibrant walk with God. As Psalm 46:10 urges, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Without stillness, we risk knowing about God but not truly knowing Him.

A Culture of Rest

We need more than individual resolve to slow down. We need communities that value it. When churches and ministries prize speed and productivity over presence and love, they burn out leaders and miss out on the Spirit’s gentle movements. But when we foster cultures that embrace silence, process, and mystery, we create space for authentic growth.

Communities like this help us realize something powerful: God is not in a hurry. He’s not measuring our worth by how much we get done in a day. He’s shaping us, slowly but surely, into the image of His Son. That shaping often requires seasons of quiet, even what feels like unproductivity.

Wasting Time, Gaining Life

Slowing down may feel like “wasting time.” But in reality, it's a way to stop wasting your life. Consider your best ideas, your most healing conversations, your clearest prayers how many of them came in moments of hurry? More likely, they emerged in stillness.

Jesus Himself frequently withdrew to lonely places to pray (Luke 5:16). He was never rushed, though His mission was more urgent than ours will ever be. If the Son of God made room for silence, why don’t we?

What if the most important thing you do today is not on your to-do list? What if it’s taking a quiet walk, writing a prayer in a journal, listening carefully to someone who needs to talk, or sitting still before God without needing to say anything?

Those moments don’t show up on productivity trackers, but they shape your soul and your future ministry more than any completed checklist.

So give yourself permission. Step away from the tyranny of the urgent. Drop the compulsion to always be doing. Sit, listen, breathe. Form a heart that loves well.

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