• All Sites:
  • Pastors
  • Leadership
  • Kids Ministry
  • Student Ministry
  • Groups Ministry
  • Women's Ministry
  • Worship Ministry
LifeWay

Ministry to Women

Resources for Women’s Ministry Leaders

  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
  • Events
  • Shop
Living Life in MInistry
January 3, 2018

Better Than Busy in the New Year

By Women's Ministry

A note from Kelly King: I just returned to work after taking some time off with my family over the holidays. I knew returning to work would be a “slap in the face” with a long to-do list. Like Whitley Tracy, I tend to be a “doer” and can find lots of reasons to choose busy instead of choosing best. Her article today is a good reminder for leaders who need a reminder to keep our priorities in check. 

About two years ago, when I would run into a friend and be asked how I was doing, I would respond, “I’m good! Busy, but good!” What I didn’t realize was that I was quickly headed toward burnout and running on fumes. I’ve always been a do-er. I love to be busy, I love people, and I love to go and do. And I don’t “rest” well.

I’ve always been aware of this trait about myself, on some level at least, but it took the Lord using a speaker at a conference and the comments of probably too many of my loved ones over the course of time for me to finally wake up to the realization that I wasn’t just busy; I was too busy, and there were areas of my life that were suffering the consequences.

I think it took me so long to realize this because I felt like I was busy with “the Lord’s work” and how could any of that be a bad thing? Martha and I have that in common. In Luke 10, we see the story of Mary and Martha, sisters who were preparing their home for a visit from Jesus. When Jesus arrived, Mary sat at His feet listening to His teaching, while Martha was “distracted” by serving. Martha was busy; Mary was still. Interestingly enough, we see Mary of Bethany three different times in Scripture (Luke 10:39, John 11:32, John 12:3), and each time she was in the same place—at the feet of Jesus. This is the type of leader I want to be—the one found at Jesus’ feet. More so, I want the women alongside me to see my worship for Jesus even as I do things to minister in His name.

In her book The Best Yes, Lysa TerKeurst says, “A woman who lives with the stress of an overwhelmed schedule will often ache with the sadness of an underwhelmed soul.” This is often an issue that plagues women, and especially women in leadership, whether on staff at a church or on the volunteer level. Often we feel that if we don’t say yes, then who will? So instead, we say yes to things that we don’t feel called to, either out of fear that it won’t get done or just so that we can be busy. Because busy seems to be better. However, in the case with Mary and Martha, Jesus explains to Martha that “Mary has made the right choice.” Martha obviously has a passion and a heart to serve. However, she has let that passion cloud the greater need, which was time with Jesus.

So as we begin the New Year, the world around us is telling us to make resolutions, set our goals for 2018, and plan our action steps to get those done. These are all good things, but are they Kingdom-minded things? Instead of first looking at all that needs to be done in 2018, what if we started by spending time in prayer asking the Lord to align our hearts with His? What if instead of making a list of goals, we started by sitting at the feet of Jesus and letting our goal be Him?

So join me, sister, as we embark on this New Year. There’s so much excitement in the air, so many to-do lists to be made, meetings to attend, women to meet, and events to plan. With all the things that need to be done, I encourage you to not miss out on the best. Sit at His feet, and let His heart permeate all that is on your calendar.


Whitley Tracy is a small-town farm girl from Oklahoma who is thankful for God’s plan being better than her own. Whitley has been the Girls Minister at Trinity Baptist in Ada, Oklahoma for the past 5 years where she has a heart for girls to find their true identity in Christ, discipleship, and to help young women grow in their relationship with the Lord. She graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor’s in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and she’s now continuing her education at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in Girls & Women’s Ministry. In her spare time, she loves living life with her two roommates, DIY projects, flowers, laughing, spending time with family, drinking coffee, and eating ice cream.

You may also like -

  • Lessons Behind the BlogLessons Behind the Blog
  • Rhythms of Work and RestRhythms of Work and Rest
  • The Secret Sauce in MinistryThe Secret Sauce in Ministry

Filed Under: Living Life in MInistry January 3, 2018

WE’RE GLAD YOU’RE HERE

Thanks for stopping by! You’ll find helpful articles for your leadership journey, whether it’s leading women in the local church, in your community, or in the marketplace.

EMAIL NEWSLETTER

  • Ready to join in and receive monthly content specifically for women in ministry? Enter your email address and click "Sign Up." It's that easy!

You Lead

RSS On the LifeWay Women blog

  • How Scripture Notebooks Can Draw You Deeper Into God’s Word + A Giveaway January 15, 2021
  • Book Notes | How You Live January 14, 2021
  • Parenting Teens Through Important Life Decisions January 13, 2021
  • 3 Tips for Kicking off Small Groups This Year January 12, 2021
Load More...Follow on Instagram

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

All Ministry Sites

Pastors
Leadership
Kids Ministry
Student Ministry
Groups Ministry
Women’s Ministry
Worship Ministry

Digital Resources

Ministry Grid
LifeWay Worship
Digital Church
KidEvent Pro
MyCurriculum Manager
Simulcast Manager
LifeWay Reader eBooks
Generosity
WORDsearch
SmallGroup.com

LifeWay Network

LifeWay Research
B&H
Ridgecrest

Copyright © 2021 · LifeWay Christian Resources · All Rights Reserved