God Is Busy—We’re Trying to Catch Up!

From time-to-time, the Lord lays my pastor/biblical counselor friend Kevin Carson on my heart and I pray for him, his family, and the church he pastors. A couple of days ago, the Lord laid him on my heart and I prayed. I emailed telling him I was praying. In his reply he said, “God is Busy; we’re trying to catch up!”

As you can tell, this resonated with me!

Scripture Focus: John 5:17 (NIV)
John 5:17 (NIV) came to mind: “In his defense Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.’”

Have you ever felt like life is moving faster than you can keep up with? Like God is orchestrating something grand, and you’re just trying to find your place in the rhythm? That’s because—He is. God is always at work. He’s not idle, not waiting, not unsure. He’s moving, building, restoring, and redeeming. And we’re invited to join Him in that divine momentum.

God’s Work Never Stops

In John 5:17, Jesus makes a powerful statement: “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” This wasn’t just a defense of His healing on the Sabbath—it was a declaration of divine purpose. God doesn’t take breaks from being God. His love, justice, mercy, and creativity are constantly in motion.

When we say, “God is busy; we’re trying to catch up,” it’s not a complaint—it’s a call. A call to awareness. A call to alignment. A call to action.

A Hymn That Echoes the Call: “To the Work!”

Frances (Fanny) J. Crosby wrote the classic hymn captures the urgency and joy of joining God in His ongoing work. Each verse is a rallying cry to step into the divine activity already underway.

Stanza 1
To the work! to the work! we are servants of God,
Let us follow the path that our Master has trod;
With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.

God is already working—He’s not waiting for us to get ready. This stanza reminds us that we are servants, not spectators. The path is already laid out by Jesus. Our job is to follow, renew our strength in Him, and get to work with what’s in our hands.

Stanza 2
To the work! to the work! let the hungry be fed;
To the fountain of life let the weary be led;
In the cross and its banner our glory shall be,
While we herald the tidings, “Salvation is free!”

God’s work is redemptive and compassionate. He’s feeding the hungry, refreshing the weary, and proclaiming salvation. When we “catch up” to what God is doing, we find ourselves serving others and pointing them to the cross. This is not just busy work—it’s Kingdom work.

Stanza 3
To the work! to the work! there is labor for all;
For the kingdom of darkness and error shall fall;
And the name of Jehovah exalted shall be,
In the loud-swelling chorus, “Salvation is free!”

There’s no shortage of work in God’s Kingdom. Everyone has a role. As we align with His mission, we become part of something bigger—the fall of darkness and the rise of truth. God is already moving in this direction. Our job is to join the chorus.

Stanza 4
To the work! to the work! in the strength of the Lord,
And a robe and a crown shall our labor reward;
When the home of the faithful our dwelling shall be,
And we shout with the ransomed, “Salvation is free!”

We don’t work alone. God empowers us with His strength. And while the work is urgent, it’s not in vain. There is eternal reward and joy ahead. God is preparing a place, and we’re invited to help prepare others for it.

Catching Up Means Tuning In

Absolutely! Here’s a revised version of your paragraph with a sentence added to clarify what “tuning in” means:

Catching up with God doesn’t mean hustling harder or doing more. It means tuning in to what He’s already doing. Tuning in means slowing down enough to notice where God is at work—listening for His voice, watching for His hand, and aligning your heart with His purpose. It means asking, “Lord, where are You moving today—and how can I be part of it?” Sometimes we miss God’s movement because we’re looking for fireworks when He’s working in whispers. Other times, we’re so caught up in our own plans that we forget to ask what He’s planning.

Sometimes we miss God’s movement because we’re looking for fireworks when He’s working in whispers. Other times, we’re so caught up in our own plans that we forget to ask what He’s planning.

How Do We Catch Up?

Start with Stillness—Ironically, catching up with God often begins with slowing down. In stillness, we hear His voice. In quiet, we sense His direction.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Stay in the Word—Scripture is our map. It shows us where God has been, where He is, and where He’s going.
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” –  Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

Walk in Step with the Spirit—Following God requires sensitivity to His leading, not just in the big moments but in our everyday steps.
reminds us: “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25 (NIV)

Be Ready to Move—When God opens a door, be ready to walk through it. When He prompts your heart, be ready to respond.
“Here am I. Send me!” — Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)

Final Thoughts

God is busy! He’s healing hearts, restoring families, building His Kingdom. And the beautiful truth is: He wants us to be part of it. We’re not just spectators; we’re co-laborers. So, let’s lace up our spiritual shoes, fix our eyes on Him, and run the race He’s marked out for us.