Busyness

Because of a meeting yesterday, I spent some time considering the culture in which I live. Southwest Missouri. Very rural, though some would like to think otherwise. I know urban, been there and this is NOT it. I'm glad. 

People here know about hay and cows and horses. They are football and baseball fans. They like get-togethers, cookouts, and Starbucks. They remover their hats for the National anthem and bow their heads during a prayer.

Most would say that they are Christians. Christian being defined as someone who believes in God and goes to church. 

That's what perplexes me. A biblical definition of "Christian" is to be a follower of Christ. That would mean to follow His example, obey His commands and grow in relationship to Him.

The priority structure in SW MO is all but Christian. Fishing and ball games trump church attendance. Is church attendance the end all for spiritual growth? Not necessarily, but it certainly is an indicator. 

Parents "encourage" their kids to be involved in extra-curricular activities under the assumption that it makes them better people. I beg to differ. Having worked with teens for 20+ years, I see the effects and they are not positive. They become obsessed with a sport that will mean zero in 10 years. They give up summer trips that can be life-changing.

For the adults, the schedules of the kids creates stress on marriages especially in multi-child homes. Dad is going one way while mom goes the other. Meeting back at home exhausted. 

A couple passages of scripture directly address the complexity, or lack of, in our lives: 1 Thessalonians 11-12 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.  1 Timothy 2:1-4 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

The lifestyles aforementioned are not "quiet" or "peaceful". In fact, all of that activity leads to all sorts of issues. Issues that disagree with being a Christian.
This busyness creates problems within the church. Folks don't have time to serve, they don't have time to be involved in the things that draw others to the Kingdom. When unbelievers look at the lives of "Christians" they see no difference. 
Busyness, could it be the most powerful tool in Satan's arsenal against our culture?