It is a common excuse - I've used it myself many times: "I'm just too busy right now to spend time reading the Bible, meditating on the Bible, or praying." While we are busy, and some weeks are busier than others, we know that excuse is weak.
We know it is an excuse because people eventually make time for what they see as a priority. You might be busy for a season while rearranging priorities, but, eventually, you make time for what you see as a priority. Eating might not be at the top of the list today, but it will be soon . . . because you can't live without food. We know this, so we know that our excuses about a lack of time are mostly empty.
I say "mostly" because we do encounter times of greater busyness, and faithfulness to God might require less time devoted to the Word or prayer for a brief period of time. However, if we really see God's Word as spiritual food and prayer as access to our Heavenly Father's ear, then we will find a way to engage in the spiritual disciplines in some capacity and begin making adjustments to allow for more time for them soon.
So, if busyness is a real problem, but it's not a good excuse, where can I trim time so that I can add time for the spiritual disciplines? Here is a paraphrased quote from William Bridge that points us in the right direction.
"Oh," you say, "I would spend time thinking about God with all my heart, but that is a work that takes time, it will cost time, and I have no time; my hands are so full of business . . . I have no time for this work." If that is you, mark what [the psalmist] says in Psalm 119, "Lord incline my heart unto Thy testimonies," how so? "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity." The way to have one's heart inclined to the testimonies of God, is to turn away one's eyes from vanities.1
"Vanities" refers to empty things or things that are short-lived. So sinful wastes of time would be the first place to cut in order to free up time for meditating. But, what if that doesn't free up enough time? Then, you might also look to other things that are not wrong in and of themselves, but that are short-lived pleasures and escapes. Television, social media, and other media would be a good place to start. But maybe you have done that, and you are still "too busy." If that is you, I suggest talking to a mature Christian brother or sister who can help you evaluate things. This is a great way to have others build you up in the faith. Don't be too busy for that.
1 Found in Don Whitney's book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (page 61-62). I paraphrased it into modern English.
