Ever heard the term “busybody?”
I’ve never really thought much about it, but it seems to have a negative connotation. A busybody is always sticking their nose in other people’s business.
It’s an odd word because there is nothing wrong with being busy. The question is busy… doing what? Which brings us to yesterday’s quote:
The busier our hands are with things like washing people’s feet – the harder it will be to pick up stones.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus cautioned about judgment. Elsewhere, he advised against throwing stones.
So, if our bodies are going to be busy, I guess it’s a good idea to occupy ourselves with more productive activities. Being busy bodies without being busybodies.
Don’t know about you, but this hits home for me. Because I think it’s about thoughts as well as actions.
With all the miles I crank on my bike, I have a great deal of time to think. I’ve told you I spend some of that time talking to Jesus, but I confess my thoughts often wonder into less productive areas.
Am I the only one who begins imaginary conversations in my head, conversations that will never happen? Conversations I play over and over, often leading into pretend conflicts that will never occur? Perhaps I’m the only one, but I suspect I’m not.
I suspect these sorts of imaginary conflicts are part of the judgment and stone-throwing Jesus warned about.
None of us – I hope – are literally throwing stones at others. And we probably don’t wash others’ feet frequently.
But I’ll bet we can all search our hearts and find places where we might replace judgment with generosity or kindness or love.
I know I could.
“ Am I the only one who begins imaginary conversations in my head, conversations that will never happen?” – Nope. I think that some of these conversations are good. Rehearsals working through complex items. Other times they are my worrying and not trusting what Jesus has promised. The former are helpful and informative. The latter often result in anxiety and serve as a reminder to pray about them instead.