Busy

Description Listen to an interview with the author on Pilgrim Radio: Feeling overworked? Too much on your plate? Hoping there must be a better way? Then surely you need greater efficiency, better time management techniques, the right apps, the resolve to simply push through, guidance from a guru or influencer … But what if the change we really crave is found somewhere entirely different? As we make our way in this hectic, confused culture, our greatest need is the practical, life-changing wisdom that only our Creator can provide. We need to pause and look to God—who he is, who he has made us to be, and how the good news of Jesus can genuinely reorder our daily lives for the better. Join Ian Carmichael as he explores the Bible in search of a better way to handle our busy lives. Also available: the free group Bible study. About the author Ian Carmichael has been with Matthias Media from its beginnings in 1988, co-leading with Tony Payne for many of those years. Ian stepped down from the CEO role in late 2020, and now contributes in an honorary capacity. Ian and his wife, Stephanie, are part of Chatswood Presbyterian Church in Sydney. Recommendations "Busy offers a unique take on busyness and one that strikes to the very heart of our God-given purpose. It is a book that blessed and challenged me and, I trust, one that will bless and challenge you as well. I am glad to recommend it." —Tim Challies (read the full review at Challies.com) "Reading the book feels like meeting a helpful friend. Carmichael is down to earth, conversational, and personable, guiding us through a biblical perspective on the world we live in, the God who made it, and our busyness. The lack of “magic bullets” does mean it takes nine chapters for the book to start feeling more practical, but that’s okay. The goal is a proper perspective, not just a bunch of strategies." —Aidan Smith (read the full review at The Gospel Coalition) "Ian Carmichael speaks into our common slavery to busyness, and charts the only road to freedom—not by providing more tips on time management, but by thinking deeply about who we are as humans, and understanding God’s busyness in his plan of redemption. Ian shows us that we are slaves to busyness because we don’t believe the gospel. He is disarmingly honest, confronting and warmly conversational at the same time, anticipating our questions and objections. He provides very practical reflections for personal change towards godly busyness for employees, church members, parents, children, husbands, wives and siblings. I can see radical implications for how we think about retirement. This book is comprehensive." —Colin Marshall, author and trainer "Ian Carmichael’s book Busy is refreshingly clear and to the point. It helps us re-examine the purpose of life while we wait for the new creation—that is, Christ-directed busyness and rest. Ian’s relationship audit exercise is insightful and practical for applying the biblical principles given in the first half of the book: Step 1: Identify our key relationships. Step 2: Reflect on how we can be more intentional in seeing these precious people transferred into God’s kingdom and transformed into the likeness of Jesus. Medical experts recommend booking annual health checks. I recommend buying and reading this book as an excellent yearly spiritual health check." —Carmelina Read, Dean of Women, Christ College, Sydney "Ian Carmichael’s Busy is a wonderful read. It’s full of biblical wisdom, warmth, humour and grace. Most importantly it will help you think about how God’s kindness in Jesus rearranges our priorities and helps us be busy in a healthy way for God. It’s a book born of a life lived serving Jesus and putting the Bible into practice. It’s a book that will encourage you to rest in God, work hard for Christ, and put busyness into perspective. I encourage you to grab a copy, read it, and live it! It might just turn ‘busy’ into joyful service." —Paul Grimmond, Dean of Students and Lecturer in Ministry and Mission, Moore Theological College, Sydney "Busy is not what I expected but it’s exactly what I needed, and I suspect it’s what many of us need. Challenging me to rethink not only Monday-Fridays, Ian also really pushed me to think again about my Sundays (and I say this as a pastor!). I pray this book will be given to every Christian, from new to mature, with the hope that all of them will consider how they themselves are answers to the prayer of Matthew 9:37-38—a call to be busy with work for the harvest." —Marty Sweeney, Pastor of Training, Old North Church, Ohio, and Executive Director, Matthias Media, USA