Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung -- Book Review

I was too busy to read Crazy Busy by Kevin DeYoung.  The full title of the book is Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem. It was produced by Christian Audio.

I didn't actually read the book, I listened to the book thanks to Christian Audio. This book was read by Adam Verner.  He does a great job of capturing the feel of the book he is reading.  I always feel like I am actually listening to the author of the book when he is reading.

This book deals with the problem of business. ...and it is a problem.  We are too busy, or at least it feels that way.  This book seeks to first address the reasons why we are busy or feel busy. As he attempts to diagnose the problem of busyness, Kevin DeYoung freely acknowledges the reality that he does not stand above the problem, but is right in the middle of the problem. In so many ways, he hits the nail on the head as he describes the different realities of "why" we are busy.

Near the end of the book he quite appropriately addresses the fact that in some way are supposed to be busy.  As much as we might diagnose and treat our unnecessary busyness, there is still a sufficient amount of busyness that we should be all about.  The goal is not to eliminate the busyness, but to prioritize the activities in the middle of the busyness, i.e. are we spending time on what really counts?

My only difficulty in reading this book was the lack of addressing my own personal situation.  I am a full-time high school teacher at a local public school.  I teach geometry, calculus, and trigonometry.  I am also the senior pastor at a small local church. I don't need to add more, but I am also a husband and the father of two children.  I am (without surprise) busy. I would even say that I am "crazy busy" much of the time.  But I don't believe that I have taken on more that God has led me to accept in my life.  And I don't believe that there is anything that I can lay down right now.  So, taking a day off, doesn't happen all that often.  Much of what Kevin DeYoung says is still very helpful, but it comes up short in the specifics of my own situation. Bivocational Pastor will always be Crazy Busy... Is there a better way to handle my busyness?  Most likely, but I am not sure exactly what I can do differently, at least for now.

If you are busy in life, I suggest this book.  Especially the audio version, you can listen to it on your commute to work or while you are at the YMCA on the treadmill.