A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem
“I’M TOO BUSY!” We’ve all heard it. We’ve all said it. All too often, busyness gets the best of us.
Just one look at our jam-packed schedules tells us how hard it can be to strike a well-reasoned balance between doing nothing and doing it all.
That’s why award-winning author and pastor Kevin DeYoung addresses the busyness problem head on in his newest book, Crazy Busy — and not with the typical arsenal of time management tips, but rather with the biblical tools we need to get to the source of the issue and pull the problem out by the roots.
Highly practical and super short, Crazy Busy will help you put an end to “busyness as usual.”
- Paperback: 128 pages
- Publisher: Crossway (September 23, 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1433533383
- ISBN-13: 978-1433533389
“Everything Kevin DeYoung writes is biblical, timely, and helpful for both life and ministry. You can’t afford to miss what he says here in Crazy Busy. He rightly reminds us to beware of the barrenness of a busy life, since activity and productivity are not the same thing.”
—Rick Warren, #1 New York Times best-selling author, The Purpose Driven Life; Pastor, Saddleback Church
“I’m a fan of Kevin DeYoung’s writing, partly because I know what to expect. He’s always clear, biblical, and to the point—with a good dose of humor peppered in. Crazy Busy is no exception. It’s a quick and engaging read that busy people can find time for. DeYoung helped me think about the heart issues behind my busyness, and even gave me some practical ways to fight it. As a pretty busy guy, I encourage other busy folks to squeeze this little book into their schedule.”
—Trip Lee, hip-hop artist; author, The Good Life
Summary
It is maybe not a coincidence whatsoever that the author of the book JUST DO SOMETHING has published a book on the subject of overdoing it. Crazy Busy is what the sub-title says that it is, the book is a relatively short text about a very large issue with many Christian leaders in the church today (and I’m not just talking about pastors and professors). If you are a leader, you most likely share qualities of DeYoung. You’re driven (to exhaustion); You’re sacrificial (without hesitation); You recognize problems that need fixed (and neglect to address your own problems); You please people (often forgetting The Person that needs pleased); You seek accomplishing tasks (because pride doesn’t allow you to accept how others work).
I know, not all of those descriptions fit you but I would guess that if you are a leader than a majority of them just might. DeYoung admits that this book is contrast to the message of other contemporary reads that seek to get believers off of the pew and into the streets. This is for those people recognize that the work/mission is GREAT and have an issue with resting while evil is still on the move. DeYoung presents his readers with ten chapters that challenge us to put our pride in check and live for our Creator rather than for those around us. DeYoung begs us to prioritize our number one priority, Jesus Christ.
1. Hello, My Name is Busy
2. Here, There, and Gone: Three Dangers to Avoid
3. The Killer P’s—Diagnosis #1: You Are Beset with Many Manifestations of Pride
4. The Terror of Total Obligation—Diagnosis #2: You Are Trying to Do What God Does Not Expect You to Do
5. Mission Creep—Diagnosis #3: You Can’t Serve Others without Setting Priorities
6. A Cruel Kindergarchy—Diagnosis #4: You Need to Stop Freaking Out about Your Kids
7. Deep Calls to Deep—Diagnosis #5: You Are Letting the Screen Strangle Your Soul
8. Rhythm and Blues—Diagnosis #6: You’d Better Rest Yourself before You Wreck Yourself
9. Embracing the Burdens of Busyness—Diagnosis #7: You Suffer More because You Don’t Expect to Suffer at All
10. The One Thing You Must Do
Review
I have not read DeYoung’s other books. I do not even recall dipping into any articles or blogs that he has written up. That said, I will make it a point to spend time getting to know him. There is a great amount of transparency in DeYoung’s writing. He doesn’t allude to being an expert on the issue (and even outright admits his struggles) and appears to write for his readers, not for himself. He wants to see the change, the transformation, in Christ’s Bride.
I had no issue whatsoever in getting through Crazy Busy. The easiest way to describe this short book is that DeYoung is a straight-shooter who approaches the relevant topic of busy-ness with a perspective that is (very) biblically grounded. I would say that pastors that rush from task to task, from stress to stress, and have not wrestled with the REASON behind their crammed schedules are (yes, I am not just running at the mouth and I mean what I’m sharing next) sinning. They are misrepresenting Jesus Christ (our hope and perfecter and sufficiency) to a world people. We have got to maintain ourselves, our relationships, and our integrity at the micro-level (in our homes and our churches and our workplaces) if we expect to see lives changed.
I feel like I’m rambling or beginning to get preachy – but the bottom line is that there is a need for people to people (believers and non-believers alike) to assess their priorities. DeYoung rightfully calls his readers to slow down and revisit the Cross in order to put life in order.
Find Crazy Busy on Amazon.com or Crossway.com.
