This post was originally written July 31, 2013 and has been updated slightly with a reference to the bestseller book on the same topic.
Rushing, Rushing ‘Til Life’s No Fun
Ruthlessly Eliminate Hurry
Noted speaker, author, and pastor- John Ortberg- asked of his good friend and spiritual mentor, Dallas Willard, what he needed to do to be spiritually healthy. Expecting some bullet points and great wisdom from this spiritual leader, Willard said, “You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” After pausing and a re-emphasis of the same statement by Dallas, John wrote it down. In a hurried fashion, then he asked what was next. “There is nothing else,” said the wise man he spoke to. “You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life, for hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our world today.” (Find the story here.)
This hurry is the same thing that keeps us running around with just one more thing to do and one more place to go. It is a problem of a hurried heart. It is not the same as having many responsibilities. Hurry is the rush of “one more thing,” being busy is having a lot to do. The latter can be done with peace, a calm heart, rest, and love. The former cannot. It is not settled, is not content, and does not rest.
Hurry Hurts
How does hurry hurt us? It keeps us thinking outside of the moment. It requires another accomplishment to be satisfied. It has no end. It does not fulfill. We cannot have a close relationship without spending time, sitting and listening, and being with someone. The hurried spiritual life is as fallacious as the hurried relationship. Sprinkle a few minutes in here or there, say some nice things, and be on your way. It does not work.
Slow Down
Distractions abound. Tasks require our attention. There is a limitless ocean of needs. But a healthy spiritual life requires slowing down. It re-prioritizes. It takes a breath. To quote Psalm 46:10 (ESV): “Be still, and know that I am God.” I am now closing my computer to do just that.
For further reading:
One of this year’s bestsellers is centered around this topic, titled The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. If you care to read more on the topic, that would be a great start!
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