Let's see, my Spring semester (January 4 to May 6, about 17 weeks) is ending soon, here's what I would have done by May:
- Read through the Bible (all 66 books)
- Studied the historical, cultural, and political context of each book (with archaeology where applicable)
- Supposedly memorized the author, date, provenance, and destination of each book (for my exams)
- Read through 10+ books that talks about theology proper, pneumatology, Christology, soteriology, whatchamacology...
- Written about 79 essays of varying lengths, 30 of which are full-fledged papers (average paper has 2000 words). So... 66,000 words? That's roughly 200 pages double-spaced
Ya, so that's roughly what I did for the past 17 weeks. Yes, just one semester. Courses include New Testament Exposition, Old Testament Exposition, Systematic Theology, etc. So how much work do I have to do a week? You do the math.
Oh, I'm also working part-time as a programmer (1-2 days per week) and am very involved at church (depending on whether I'm teaching, 12-16 hours). People have told me to cut back, so I have, but I can't cut away everything. Paul warned against idleness/laziness (2 Thess 3:10). And Peter tells us the reason for spiritual gifts is to serve others in the church (1 Pet 4:10).
What's the point of all this? Firstly, it's to rebuke all those who complain about being too busy. As a litmus test, I ask myself this daily: "Have you watched TV or played games today? Then you are NOT too busy. Strive to let everything you do edify either yourself or the church (1 Cor 14:12)." Breaks are necessary to not burn out. But breaks are 5-10 mins, not 1-2 hours. We all have the same amount of time. Number your days (Psa 90:12). Make the most of every opportunity (Eph 5:16), especially with the non-Christian (Col 4:5). Is this easy to do? No! I want to waste time every day. But I deny myself every day (Matt 16:24). Christian, do the same.
Secondly, don't say "I'm bored". No, no, no, no, NO! I'm talking to Christians here, those whose lives have been bought by Christ (1 Cor 6:20). Your lives don't belong to you (1 Cor 6:19). Therefore, live for Him (Phil 1:21). You have nothing to do? Pray for God to give you work! I promise you He has prepared something (Eph 2:10). Non-Christians, I have nothing against you. At least you are not living hypocritically. But I do want to urge you to give yourselves to God. It's worth it. :)
Thirdly, I'm writing this to let my brothers and sisters know why it seems I'm so busy all the time. That's because I am. I'm not trying to avoid you... It can be quite stressful sometimes with so much work piling up. Like right now... So I'm writing this to ask for prayer from my Christian family. Especially since I'm taking courses throughout the summer too, with a similar workload. Please don't stop praying for me, I will fail without your prayers channeling His power. And the very thing I was rebuking, about wasting time and laziness, I was really rebuking myself... I hate these sinful tendencies in me... :(
Lastly, I should be burnt out. The only reason I'm not is because God is sustaining me (Psa 55:22). The dean at Moody told me my workload was untenable 5 months ago. I somehow convinced him otherwise. See, I'm not naturally a hard worker, neither am I that brilliant. I'm not trying to boast of my abilities right here. Woe is me if I am! I'm boasting in my God, who made me (1 Cor 1:31). I'm trying to let everyone see how impossible this is so that you can give glory not to me, but to God. He is the one doing it, not me! Praise Him, not me! And you can do the same too, through Christ (Phil 4:13)! Work hard for Him, whether in school, at work, for your family, or at church. Whatever you do, work hard for the Lord (Col 3:23).
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me." - 1 Cor 15:10
