Crazy Busy
A guest book review by Deane Proctor, pastor of Queensway Baptist Church of Crazy Busy.
Like most Christian leaders, the number of books in my “to read” pile is getting out of hand. Too little time, too many books! Thankfully included in that pile was Kevin DeYoung’s small book, Crazy Busy: A (mercifully) short book about a (really) big problem. Being “crazy busy” has become some weird kind of badge of honour in our culture today. Perhaps this attitude can be traced to economic downsizing, competition in the workplace or some other cause but it seems that if a person isn’t “crazy busy” when asked they must be slacking off in some way!
DeYoung’s 118 page book wisely avoids the oft-repeated trap of merely providing tips and tricks to squeeze more and more productivity out of each day (does the leadership world REALLY need another how-to-keep-your-inbox-clear book?) By exploring biblical examples of busy-ness, the author provides compassionate and understanding encouragement meant to allow the reader to understand the root of what leads us to be “crazy busy” and how we can not only manage it scripturally but in many instances avoid it altogether.
I have to say that I really appreciated the linear progression that this book takes at is works it’s way through the authors identification of 3 dangers to avoid, 7 diagnoses to consider and 1 thing “you must do.” In the end the book didn’t fix how crazy busy I am nor provide a formula to finally get through my to-read pile but it wasn’t designed to. Instead it provided a necessary reminder to develop a theology of time management and to prayerfully guard my time wisely. I recommend this book to any christian leader who would describe themselves when asked as being “crazy busy” because after all, at 118 pages, it won’t take much time out of your hectic schedule to read.
