Edina Hall

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matthew: 24:42-47)

Fellow journeyers,

When I was in graduate school, my fellow lab mate taught me a valuable lesson: how to look busy. 

“It’s easy,” he said. “Carry something light, walk intentionally, and avoid eye contact with anyone. Mutter to yourself, but not so that no one fully understands what you are saying.” Years of working in construction made him a master of avoidance, carrying hammers but never ladders—”Those are too heavy.” Looking busy, he explained, was key to avoiding a new assignment or getting caught by the boss slacking off. 

In today’s lesson, the first readers were grappling with the unmet second coming of Christ. The first generation of believers and leaders were passing away. The anxiety of waiting and the reality of keeping the faith for the “long haul” was sinking in. It was plainly taking longer than expected and this passage served (and serves) as a warning to the people (and us) not to give up or abuse responsibilities because of the delay. 

But I can see that it may also have an underlying and dangerous tone of performance piety.

“Look busy, Jesus is coming.”

In the past year or so, I have taken a step back from ministries (Fields must have fallow periods). People have lovingly made suggestions of where I could be involved. I have hesitated only because I don’t want to join a ministry just for the sake of doing it, or worse, just being seen doing it. I want my involvement to come from a place of God’s love calling me into action. I don’t want to de-evolve into carrying a clip board, walking quickly, avoiding contact and muttering. 

I don’t want to look busy. I want to be busy. 

But how do I find the “it” to be busy with?

For me, exiting my fallow period, it is with prayer and discernment. Is God calling me to something I am already familiar with that truly needs me and my expertise? Or is He calling me to transformation and the challenge of something new and maybe a little uncomfortable?

The good news is that there is plenty to be lovingly and intentionally “busy with” inside and outside the church. So, I invite you to join me in a little season of discernment.

Where is God calling you to action?

Where can you be busy?

—Edina