The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

Why are we so busy? 

Better yet, why do we pride ourselves on being so busy? 

Our culture has created a reality in which we are almost looked down upon if we are not busy.  These questions hit on the important reminder that we are human beings not human doings.  Yet, we have structured our lives in such a way that we focus far more on doing than simply being.  

As I read the Bible, I find that one of the most undervalued words is meditation.  In Scripture, meditation means the sense of stillness and focused thought on the realities of God.  

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Psalm 1:1-2

To meditate on God’s law is to adore His character. 

The challenge is that in today’s world, we often literally do not know how to still our minds. When was the last time any of us stopped and sat in stillness for an hour, or thirty minutes or even ten minutes?  We feel the constant need to “do” instead of just “be.”  

Over Christmas break I had the opportunity to read John Mark Comer’s book: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. 

Comer masterfully analyzes our busy lives and considers what the real application of implementing Christian disciplines can look like as we aim to slow down our lives. 

He summarizes the purpose of his book in great simplicity:

Here’s my point: the solution to an over-busy life is not more time. It’s to slow down and simplify our lives around what really matters.

J.M. Comer

The reality is time is our greatest asset in this life.  It is so important to remember God has given us all the time we need.  Our problem is not a lack of time it is the lack of intentionality in our use of time.  The issue is that we often let our time slip away through thoughtless entertainment and not being intentional about how we use the time He provides. 

Our busyness crowds out the life of the soul.

Corrie ten Boom once said that if the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy. There’s truth in that. Both sin and busyness have the exact same effect—they cut off your connection to God, to other people, and even to your own soul.

J.M. Comer

The question is not whether or not we are busy, but rather why are we busy and what are we willing to do about it as individuals and as families. I find that most people are able to identify the problem, but few are willing to CHANGE. 

Change is hard, but it is invaluable. 

In the upcoming months, Life+ will focus on the need for Christians to be willing to become countercultural in the way we approach life. 

Content shared through Life+ this spring will have two common themes:

(1) self and family evaluation
and
(2) self and family planning

In order for true life change to occur INTENTIONALITY is of utmost importance.  We have an incredible opportunity to learn together what it means to meditate or as Jesus states it—to ABIDE in Christ.

I look forward to the upcoming months as together we evaluate and plan, ultimately drawing closer to Him.