Book Review: The Busy Christian's Guide to Busyness

I'm rapidly becoming a fan of Tim Chester's books (I think I own 4 at last count) and I think you should be too. I'm convinced that most of us western Christians have a very poor handle on our time, we're pushed around by the culture and our busyness makes our relationship with God thin and weak. Which isn't surprising because Jesus' warned us that this would be this case if we were preoccupied with the cares of this world.

The Busy Christian's Guide to Busyness tackles our priorities and our ineffectiveness. But it's not really a time management book but a book which exposes the lies that lie behind our over-busyness. The lies that we prefer pressure but actually procrastinate (that's me), to needing the money or the lifestyle, to remain in control, to maximise our life or to feel significant. Yet each lie is countered by truth from the scriptures that bring us to a place of rest, confidence and peaceful trust in God.

The examples are helpful, the scriptures enlightening, the style is readable and most important of all the message is vital. Too often I hear about people who'd love to love God more but busyness kills the desire dead. Rules and time management principles will become the pharisees rules when what we need is more grace.

This is an excellent book that deserves a wide audience because we need to heed its message. You can read an extract here.