Busy Doing the Right Things

One day, a young woman was walking home from work when she saw a little girl standing on the street corner, begging. The girl’s clothes were ragged, torn, and dirty; her hair was matted and unclean; her feet were bare, and her cheeks were red from the cold.

The young woman dropped a few coins into the begging cup, gave the girl a smile, and walked on. As she continued, she began to feel guilty. How could she go home to her warm house, stocked pantry, and well-supplied wardrobe while this little girl shivered on the street?

The young woman grew angry—angry with God—and she let her feelings be known in a prayer of protest: “God, how can you let these things happen? Why don’t you do something to help this girl?” And then, to her amazement, God answered. He said, “I did do something. I created you.”

In the busyness of our lives, we’re often driven by a sense of urgency: tasks to complete, schedules to maintain, places to go, people to see, and responsibilities to fulfill. However, as we go about our days, weeks, and months, it’s easy to forget who we are called to be—the hands, feet, and eyes of Jesus.

Being the hands of Jesus means serving others with love and compassion. Being the feet of Jesus means going where He leads, which requires stepping into the unknown and outside our comfort zones. It might mean visiting the sick, traveling to help the poor, or simply being present with someone who needs a listening ear. Jesus’ feet walked miles to bring good news and hope to the lost, and our feet, too, are meant to carry His message of love, compassion, and salvation to those around us.

Being the eyes of Jesus means seeing people as He sees them. When we walk through crowded places, do we see people as transactions or distractions—or as souls deeply loved by God? Jesus saw the brokenness and beauty in each person He encountered. He looked past outward appearances and into their hearts. He noticed the overlooked, loved the unloved, and brought light to the darkest places. We, too, are called to see people’s pain and meet it with His grace, to see their needs and respond with compassion.

My father reminded me often; he would say, “See a need, fill a need.” This is what it means to be the hands, feet, and eyes of Jesus. Yet sometimes our own busyness keeps us from seeing or responding. We are consumed by our phones and schedules, burdened by to-do lists, and focused on achieving our own goals. However, Jesus calls us to shift our priorities and focus on the right things, because if Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.

Listen closely: sometimes the most meaningful ministry happens when you slow down and choose to be present with others. In your busyness, ask yourself: Am I busy with the right things? Am I investing my time in what truly matters to God?

Be intentional today. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the needs of others around you. Maybe it’s the weary coach or coworker who could use some encouragement, the lonely neighbor or friend who has lost a spouse and could use a visit, or the homeless person standing by the stop sign who needs a meal. Whatever or whoever it is, open your eyes to the opportunities all around you, move your feet in obedience, and let your hands show God’s love in a practical way.

God provided a solution—He created you!