Inspired by Juliet Funt, author of A Minute to Think
🕯️ The Reflection
We’re living in an always-on world. Our phones never sleep. Our calendars look like game boards of chaos. And in the name of productivity, we rush from one thing to the next—never really thinking, never really resting, never really thriving.
Author Juliet Funt calls out a sobering reality in her book A Minute to Think: “Four thieves are killing your focus.” She names them plainly:
- Drive – the constant push to achieve, often without clear purpose.
- Excellence – not in its purest form, but perfectionism masked as virtue.
- Information – a flood of data that distracts rather than equips.
- Activity – busywork disguised as progress.
I read that list and winced. I’ve let each of these squatters set up camp in my schedule more than once.
These “thieves” rob us of the white space we need—the margin where creative thoughts, godly discernment, and true connection with others (and God) are born.
📖 A Word from Scripture
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”
—Isaiah 30:15 (NIV)
This verse isn’t just poetic—it’s diagnostic. God is offering us peace, clarity, and power… and we decline because we’re too busy to receive it.
💡 The Personal Side
I remember a season of life where I mistook busyness for significance. I packed my calendar with back-to-back meetings and took pride in being “needed.” But slowly, my creativity dried up. My spiritual sensitivity dulled. My decisions felt reactive instead of intentional.
I finally realized: it’s not about doing more. It’s about creating space to think, listen, and respond.
When I began to embrace small pauses—on walks, between tasks, during my morning routine—I noticed something: God was still speaking, I was just often too busy to hear Him. He speaks in the whitespace, not the noise.
🧭 How to Reclaim Your Focus
Try one or two of these practices this week:
- Name the Thief: Which of the four (drive, excellence, information, activity) sneaks in most often for you? Name it, and notice its patterns.
- Insert White Space: Block out time in your day for stillness or reflection. No agenda. Just margin.
- Limit Inputs: Set time-bound limits on checking email or scrolling. Don’t confuse consumption with clarity.
- Pursue Excellence, Not Perfection: Give your best, but let God be responsible for the results.
❓ Reflection Questions
- Which of the four thieves shows up most frequently in your life?
- When was the last time you created intentional space to listen to God?
- What’s one habit you can change this week to reclaim margin in your day?
🌱 Final Encouragement
You don’t need more time—you need more clarity. And clarity comes when we stop letting busyness pretend to be purpose.
If your life feels too noisy to hear God’s whisper, maybe it’s time to turn down the volume.
To hear more of Juliet Funt’s great ideas, listen to her interview on Craig Groeschel’s podcast. And be sure to check out her book, A Minute to Think.
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