MORE > Direction Can Mean Less Stress

Busy doesn’t mean happy

Ayo and Ruth Afolabi are busy and connected. They run their own lifestyle platform and the agency Inscribe. Ruth is the editor if Magnify Magazine and the couple both run their own YouTube channel. Yet, in their book MORE> Direction, they write about making time for rest, taking the time and space to pray persistently, and making a conscious choice every day to spend time with and listen to God.

They argue that, in a culture where we live at a fast pace and feel that we must be busy all the time, we can be healthier and more connected to God when we stop pushing ourselves to be constantly on and always achieving. Busyness does not equal productivity, personal success, worth or value.

Making the time

Ayo and Ruth both noticed a profound difference in their relationships with God and the people around them when they stopped measuring their success by how busy they were. MORE > Direction is a result of direct engagement with the Bible and following its teachings, making the time to apply the principles of scripture, which include rest, quiet time, and persistent prayer.

Ruth writes about how – like many Christians – she turned away from religion during a period of suffering and grief. She didn’t understand how the loss she experienced could have happened. When she returned to God and decided to form a deeper relationship with her faith, and to consider scripture in a more dedicated way, she found strength and healing in her time of need.

The MORE> series looks directly at the Bible and how it is meant to guide our lives: what we believe, how we live, how we treat others, and how we share the messages of Christianity. MORE> Direction isn’t meant to give its readers all the answers or to provide them with direction when they feel lost. Instead, it encourages them to trust God, trust the lessons in the Bible, and make the time to live not for what our culture tells us we should be, but for what the Bible tells us to be.

Going forward

Put down your phone. Close your laptop. Power down your tablet. Put your camera away.

MORE> Direction helps you to reevaluate what is most important in your life, and encourages you to trust God and your life’s timing. When you do this, you can find direction in your life. You can feel more purposeful, centered, and assured. You won’t be measuring your life by the number of followers you have or the amount of likes you receive.

Make time for rest, persistent prayer, conversation with God, and consistent commitment to faith. This is more likely to help you find and follow God’s direction for your life.