Time poorly spent

"...But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing." 1 Thessalonians 4:10b-12

Why would anyone aspire to lead a quiet life? That seems like a contradiction to our American society, especially in Orange County California. It is unheard of! It feels like if someone asks me, "What's up?" I have to try and prove how busy I am. "Oh, you know, just really keeping busy. I have been getting barely four hours of sleep every night because I have been doing ministry and trying to balance it all."
I have been claiming the busy load for a while now, and I am busy. But is this really what it's all about?
God teaches us to love our brother, and then this is the next step that Paul gives to the Thessalonians to increase more and more. When Martha was working and serving it all ended with her complaining that someone else wasn't doing what she was doing. Have you been on a mission trip and felt like you've been doing so much work and nobody else does anything? Have you ever realized that this is absolutely wrong? It all comes back to a choice. Will I do ministry? Will I do work? Will I be a Martha? All that this mindset will do is cause you to see the faults of others.
Encourage your brothers and sisters to serve, but if you look to serve before you look to sit with Jesus then you have missed the point. Last week I was guilty of this. I seriously felt like just giving up and quitting half of the ministries that I am a part of. I missed the point. The point is to serve the Lord above anyone or anything else. I ceased from spending my time with the Lord and I spent it with people. People rock, but they cannot come close to our God, our Savior, our Helper, and our friend.
Spend some time with the Lord, He wants to speak to you!

I love you guys!