They Said “I’m Too Busy for God.”

 In the hustle and bustle of our lives—between work deadlines, family commitments, social media alerts, side-hustles, and everything in between—there is an invitation we often ignore. A divine invitation that demands our yes. And it’s that very invitation that Jesus gave in one of his most arresting teachings. In the apocryphal but deeply insightful Gospel of Thomas (Saying 64), Jesus offers a parable of a great dinner, a banquet, and people who refuse the call. earlychristianwritings.com+1

In the video I’ve shared on this topic, we go deep into that parable, unpacking every excuse, every seat left empty, and every moment of distraction that stands between us and the feast of the Kingdom of God:
Watch the video here

The Setting: A Feast Prepared, Guests Invited

Jesus said: “A man had received visitors. And having prepared the dinner, he sent his servant to invite the guests.” earlychristianwritings.com+1
In this version of the story: the host has done the work, the table is set, the feast is ready. The invitation is extended. But the invited guests decline—one by one.

The invites are astonishing:

  • “I have claims against some merchants… they are coming this evening… I must give them orders. I ask to be excused from the dinner.” kenjaques.org.uk

  • “I have just bought a house, and am required for the day; I shall not have any spare time.”

  • “My friend is getting married… I will not be able to come… I ask to be excused.”

  • “I have bought a farm; I am going to collect the rent; I shall not be able to come.”

Then the host’s servant returns and says: “Those whom you invited to dinner have asked to be excused.” And the master commands: “Go out into the streets and bring in whomever you find, that they may dine.” But the punch line: “Buyers and merchants will not enter the place of my Father.” youngstranger.blogspot.com+1

This is no ordinary “we don’t feel like coming” story. It is a moral and spiritual wake-up call.

The Real-Life Translation: “I’m Too Busy for God.”

What if one of those guests is you—or me?
What if the excuses we make are modern-day versions of the ancient ones?

  • “I’m too busy with business.”

  • “I’ve just made a big purchase; I have to attend to it.”

  • “I’m hosting a celebration; I must invest my time and energy there.”

  • “I’m collecting rent, investing, securing financial future.”

We attend to our agendas, we build our houses, we invest in our portfolios, we host our little celebrations—and meanwhile, the banquet of the Kingdom stands ready. The invitation remains. But we have "pressing commitments."

In today’s parable, the excuses still echo:

  • Meetings, projects, deadlines.

  • Real estate, stocks, side-hustles.

  • Social outings, family obligations, self-care (which is vital)—but when the call of God comes, we say, “I’m not free.”

  • The distraction of commerce, the tyranny of busyness, the seduction of material-gain.

According to Thomas, the problem is not simply saying “no” once—but hearing the truth of the invitation and choosing something else instead. The host already prepared the feast. The cost is no longer ours; the response is. Will we accept?

Why This Story Cuts Deep

1. Because the invitation is radical.

God’s banquet is not a side gig. It is: “Enter my Father’s place,” the feast of the Kingdom, the abundant life Jesus promises. To decline this is to settle for less than God prepared.

2. Because the excuses are familiar.

They are not obviously “evil”—they are respectable. They are business. They are house-buying. They are social obligation. They are productivity. But this story says: even these may be the very things that have blinded you. In Thomas: “Buyers and merchants will not enter the place of my Father.” youngstranger.blogspot.com

3. Because the consequence is eternal.

In Thomas (and in the canonical Gospels via the parallel parable in Gospel of Luke and Gospel of Matthew) we see that there is a reckoning. The feast is ready. The Kingdom is open. But many stand outside because they were too busy. Wikipedia

4. Because the counter-theme is glorious.

When the original invitees declined, the host said: “Go out into the highways and hedges, bring in as many as you find, so that my house may be filled.” In other words: there is hope. The call goes beyond the comfortable, the expected, the “invited.” Everyone is welcome—but not the distracted.

How This Applies to Us Today

A. Examine your calendar.

Open your schedule. What does it say?

  • How many hours are invested in “my own agenda” vs. “God’s agenda”?

  • What would happen if you blocked out one hour a day for the banquet of the Kingdom—prayer, Scripture, listening to God, being still?

  • What if you cancelled just one thing this week to answer God’s invitation?

B. Recognize the excuses.

Write down the "I’m too busy" statements you say:

  • “I have to finish this project.”

  • “I just bought this house / car / asset.”

  • “My friend is getting married / my kids need me.”

  • “I need to secure my financial future.”

When you see them in black and white, you’ll notice—they matter. They’re real. But they can also become idols, if they exclude the feast.

C. Feel the weight of the call.

Jesus did not say “If you have time, come.” He said: “My master invites you.”
The dinner is ready. The table is spread. The Father’s place is open. And He is calling you.
If you continue to say “I’m too busy,” you may remain outside the feast.

D. Say “Yes” to the banquet.

Here are practical steps:

  • Begin with silence. Be still before God for 10 minutes—no phone, no agenda—just you and Him.

  • Bring something to the table. It could be your story, your pain, your longing. Jesus invites it all.

  • Decline one distracting thing this week. Ask: “Will this help me feast with God or keep me away?”

  • Invite someone who is outside the banquet. You could be the servant who goes out into the streets. The wealthy excuse themselves—but there’s a higher gathering ready.

The Harvest of Saying “Yes”

When you stop excusing yourself and respond to the invitation, you begin to taste what the feast is like. You start to live not by busyness but by presence. You find that the Kingdom is not simply somewhere else—it can begin now.

In the person of Jesus you find: forgiveness, restoration, purpose. The table is full. The host is welcoming. Your seat is waiting. When you say yes, everything changes.

This is Your Invitation

If today you’ve said “I’m too busy for God,” let this be your moment of awakening. The feast is ready. The banquet is not an optional extra—it is your inheritance. The invitation is not to a surface gathering but to the deep, eternal, abiding presence of God.
Don’t let distraction rob you of your place. God is calling. Will you answer?

Final Words: A Prayer

Lord Jesus, I hear your voice above the clamor of my life. You have prepared the table. You have sent the invitation. Forgive me for the times I chose business over you, comfort over your presence, distraction over your call.
Today I say: “Here I am, send me. I will come.” Fill me with your light. Set my heart to feast with you. In your name. Amen.

Watch the full message (and prayer) here: Watch the video
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