Keith Wishum: There's a killer on the loose!

Keith Wishum
The Americus Times-Recorder

October 22, 2009 09:28 pm

— I know you’re busy, but can you spare a minute for something important? This might save your life.
Each year, this killer claims the lives of 2,000 Americans. Most never sense any impending danger because this killer is silent and invisible. Last Saturday in Longville, Minn., two more victims were found dead at home. The killer? Carbon monoxide poisoning.
I tell you that, not to frighten you into running out to buy a CO alarm (though it’s not a bad idea). No, I tell you that to compare it to another invisible, silent killer: busy schedules. Yes, you read that right. Those packed planners that we point to with pride can actually be very deadly.
We think working extra hours proves us to be productive. We think that filling our evenings with endless activities for our children shows us to be good parents. We believe weekends overflowing with recreation demonstrate what fun-loving people we are.
But, Jesus raised an alarm about being too busy. It can be deadly. He compared it to carbon monoxide.
OK, not really on that last part; the carbon monoxide comparison is mine, but it’s similar to his analogy. Jesus used a plant to illustrate the dangers of an overly packed planner. Some seeds, he said, like some believers, sprout up only to then be choked out by thorns. They “hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful” (Mark 4:18-19).
I know you’re busy. I am, too. But, we must be careful about the “worries of this life.” If we don’t have time for God’s word, we are too busy — dangerously busy. If other things crowd God out, we are in great danger like the unsuspecting plant of being entangled in thorns and deprived of light. Like the person breathing CO, we will be deprived of oxygen and lose consciousness. Eventually, death results.
Americans are busier than ever. And going to church less than ever. Seems harmless, but it’s not. An unseen killer hopes to replace our spiritual life with deadly substitutes.
Perhaps it’s time for us to reschedule — to make time to breathe deeply of God’s life-giving word. Let’s take every opportunity to be in church and Bible classes. The word produces fruit, but its absence produces death.

Keith Wishum is pastor, Williams Road Church of Christ, Americus.