Text: 1 Samuel 16:10-13
Memory verse:
”So he departed from there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he was with the twelfth. Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him.“
‭‭I Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

We established yesterday that the excuse of busyness is not tenable before God. He doesn’t call lazy or idle people. Let’s consider some examples.
Moses was very busy with his father-in-law’s flocks at Horeb when God called him. Gideon was a busy farmer and was threshing wheat by the winepress when God called him. What about David who was busy shepherding his father’s sheep far off in the wilderness when God called him? He was so busy that his father didn’t see how he could attend the meeting called by Prophet Samuel yet God called him. You see, God doesn’t see your busyness as a barrier but an opportunity to serve God! And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.” (1 Sam 16:11). God couldn’t find anyone qualified among the seven sons of Jesse. So, He chose the one who wasn’t available at the venue but who was busy and passionate about his work.
What about Elisha? He was a busy large scale farmer, with twelve tractors! He was also driving one of the tractors on the field when Elijah threw the mantle of leadership on him. What about Nehemiah, Amos, the disciples of Jesus, Paul and so forth.
Do you know why God often call people who are busy? He calls them because He knows that they would also be busy with His work. So God is actually comfortable when you are diligent in your work but only that you must not allow your job to be your idol. Your job becomes your idol when it takes the place of God in your life. Your job becomes your idol when it keeps you from serving God. Your job becomes your idol when you can give up anything, even God, to preserve your job.
The truth is that God wants you to serve Him with your work. The Hebrew word, Avodah, is translated worship, work and service. It means we worship God with our work and service. All true work is worship and service to God. It also means that any true work should inspire you to worship and serve God and not to impede it. This is what Romans 12:11 says, “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.”
Friends, the fact that you are so busy is your qualification to serve your Maker and not a disqualification. Challenge all excuses to serving God today.

Prayer points
1. Father, please, find me useful in Your house inspite of my busyness, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, open my eyes of understanding to the opportunities available to serve You with my work, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I see my busyness as an opportunity to serve God and not a barrier.
2. It’s not a sin to be busy at my workplace but it’s a sin to make my work an idol.