Crazy Busy: A Book Review

Crazy Busy was written by Kevin DeYoung, a pastor in Lansing, Michigan. He is married, and he and his wife have six children. DeYoung is the senior pastor at University Reformed Church and is a much sought-after speaker and author. All of these responsibilities keep him very busy. 

                        At the outset of Crazy Busy, DeYoung confesses that he writes this book, not because he has busyness all figured out, but because he wants to learn how to change and not be crazy-busy himself. His aim is to write a book that is both “highly practical and accessibly theological” (17). He writes, “I don’t promise total transformation. I offer no money-back guarantees. My goal is more modest. I hope you’ll find a few ways to tackle your schedule, several suggestions for reclaiming your sanity, and a lot of encouragement to remember your soul” (18). DeYoung desires to help Christians escape from being crazy-busy and to focus on the most important things in life. Crazy Busy includes three main sections: “three dangers to avoid (chapter 2), seven diagnoses to consider (chapters 3-9), and one thing you must do (chapter 10)” (18). DeYoung points to what is often at the root of crazy-busyness: pride. Then he focuses on various areas in our life in which crazy busyness prevails such as parenting, technology, and rest and sleep. Concluding Crazy Busy, DeYoung gives one thing Christians must do: sit at the feet of Jesus, reading the Bible and praying, heeding the words of Christ who alone possesses the “words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

                        Kevin DeYoung completes what he sets out to accomplish in Crazy Busy. He amply supplies what he promises, which is a practical, theological book that gives helpful thoughts on tackling one’s schedule, reclaiming one’s sanity, and remembering one’s soul (17-18). The book is practical. DeYoung gives useful suggestions such as writing out priorities, taking breaks from media, not over-scheduling, taking a Sabbath rest each week, and getting a proper amount of sleep. These are practical actions that can result in relief from crazy-busyness. Crazy Busy is also theological. Throughout the book, DeYoung gives biblical examples and verses that relate to his topic. For example, at the beginning of chapter 5, DeYoung quotes Mark 1:35-39. He notes that Jesus was very busy but always kept on the mission that the Father had given Him. Jesus set the Father’s will as His first priority. DeYoung notes, “If Jesus had to be deliberate with his priorities, so will we” (57). This theological focus, combined with practicality, runs throughout the whole book as DeYoung keeps his promise to be practical and theological.

                        DeYoung also fulfills his purpose of giving some tips for managing one’s schedule. He advises readers to set priorities so that they can do the most important things in life. He recognizes that no one can do it all, and setting priorities helps one get his schedule under control so he can serve most effectively.  DeYoung suggests that the reader should write down his priorities, and he notes, “Obviously, just writing these [priorities] down has not solved my problem with busyness, but knowing what my life is about has helped me recalibrate my schedule whenever I come to my senses” (57). He also suggests that an effective way to save time and manage one’s schedule is to limit the time spent on technology. He observes that many—including himself—waste much time on electronic devices, and that time can be used to lighten one’s schedule and accomplish more worthwhile tasks. Though he does not write a book dedicated to time management tips, DeYoung does gives readers some helpful tips on tackling their schedules.

                        Crazy Busy also includes many helpful suggestions for reclaiming one’s sanity. For parents, chapter 6 is especially helpful in this area. DeYoung notes that in American culture many parents over-worry about their children. In a sense, they go crazy over their kids’ well-being. As DeYoung writes, “Kids are safer than ever before, but parental anxiety is sky-rocketing” (65). He observes that parents often try to be the perfect parents so that their children grow up to be perfect. But this concept is a myth (67). Parenting has become over-complicated. While parents must nurture their children and raise them in a godly way, this effort does not mean freaking-out over them, becoming crazy-busy, and losing one’s sanity. DeYoung suggests taking a more biblical approach to parenting in which parents worry less about their children. This approach will result in parents reclaiming their sanity. DeYoung also gives helpful advice in his chapter on rest and rhythm. He notes that getting proper sleep is critical to being able to serve in a capable capacity. Otherwise, one will grow tired and lose his sanity. In nearly every chapter, DeYoung gives advice to help one to reclaim his or her sanity.   

Not only does he fulfill his purpose of giving tips to help readers tackle their schedule and reclaim their sanity, DeYoung also supplies readers with encouragement to remember their souls. For example, in chapter 2 of Crazy Busy, Kevin DeYoung lists a danger that busyness produces: it “can cover up the rot in our souls” (30). He notes that busyness can make people physically and spiritually sick as they hectically moves throughout life, and though many may not recognize it, “our crazy schedules are often signals that the sickness has already set in” (30). DeYoung recognizes that “what we need is the Great Physician to heal our overscheduled souls” (32).

The final chapter of Crazy Busy especially gives readers encouragement to remember their souls. DeYoung reminds readers that sitting at the feet of Jesus is crucial to the health of one’s soul. Studying the Bible and praying daily must be a priority in the Christian life because it is the “good portion” (Luke 10:42). Many readers will find this chapter to be the most helpful because it reminds them of what is most important in life: growing in the knowledge of Christ through Bible study and prayer—learning from Him. DeYoung writes, “If you are sick and tired of feeling so dreadfully busy and are looking for a one-point plan to help restore order to your life, this is the best advice I know: devote yourself to the Word of God and prayer” (113). Some may say that what DeYoung says in this chapter is merely a cliché, but this chapter is both theological and practical and goes beyond simply repeating Christian clichés. Instead of urging readers to somehow try to work up the willpower to read the Bible and pray, DeYoung reminds them that they must believe that it is the most significant opportunity they have every day (115). Only then will one begin taking time to sit at the feet of Jesus. Making this practice a habit will also affect other smaller areas of one’s life, affecting the decisions he makes. He will begin to say no to many activities that attribute to his busyness so that he can take the time to practice this most important discipline. In concluding this final chapter, DeYoung writes, “We won’t say no to more craziness until we can yes to more Jesus” (118).

                        Crazy Busy will be encouraging to busy, weary Christians of all sorts, ranging from college students to parents to those in the ministry. However, those looking for a time management book with foolproof steps to conquer busyness will be disappointed and should look elsewhere. That is not the purpose of Crazy Busy. Still, it will help the Christian who desperately longs to be free of his crazy-busy schedule tackle that schedule and reclaim his sanity. It will remind distracted Christians to remember their souls. Finally, Crazy Busy will encourage busy Christians to remember that their most important priority in life should be sitting at the feet of Jesus.

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DeYoung, Kevin. Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem.   

        Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2013.