Tag Archives: hurry

Review: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Mark Comer

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Orange book cover with no images. Simple text: John Mark Comer; The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry (the word hurry is scratched out); Foreword by John Ortberg

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Mark Comer (WaterBrook, 2019)

Subtitle: “How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World”

“The problem isn’t when you have a lot to do; it’s when you have too much to do and the only way to keep the quota up is to hurry.” (p, 21)

Can you relate? In this book, author John Mark Comer invites us to discover “what the way of Jesus has to say to the epidemic of hurry.” (p. 76)

He’s approaching the topic from a Christian perspective. However, there’s plenty of valuable content about the problem—and possible solutions—for people of other faiths or no faith.

Meticulously researched, quoting multiple sources and studies, the book is highly readable. Look at the endnotes too. Sometimes they expand on quoted material, and sometimes they’re funny. I found some other books I hope to read later.

There’s a link at the end to a digital workbook called How to Unhurry, which comes with brief teaching videos.

For me, this is a gateway book leading into his newer book, Practicing the Way, which I’m hoping will further expand on the principles I’ve just read.

Highly recommended. Thought provoking. And with practical suggestions on how to implement the practices of “Silence and Solitude, Sabbath, Simplicity, and Slowing.” Not everything will feel applicable, but if we gain only one or two things it will be a journey worth taking.

John Mark Comer is a teacher, speaker, and bestselling author with a refreshing delivery of longstanding truths we need to hear. For more about him and his work, including links to podcasts, his blog, and his newsletter signup, visit johnmarkcomer.com.

[Review copy from the public library.]

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About God’s Business

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Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.” Colossians 3:23-244:17, NIV1

I was heading for 1Thessalonians when this verse caught my attention. I suspect Paul’s referring to a specific task or calling Archippus has received, but it seems to apply generally as well.

In her comment on last Wednesday’s devotional, Ginny Jaques said “I work for Him 24/7, and He directs my path, even giving me R and R when I need it.”

Some of us have a direct assignment from the Lord, but all of us have work He’s given us to do. People He’s given us to care for.

The Bible says a lot about faithful service, and about relying on God’s strength instead of our own. I love this quote from Brother Lawrence:

Recently I went to Burgundy to buy the wine provisions for the society which I have joined. This was a very unwelcome task for me. I have no natural business ability and, being lame, I cannot get around the boat except by rolling myself over the casks. Nonetheless, this matter gave me no uneasiness, nor did the purchase of wine. I told the Lord that it was His business that I was about. Afterwards, I found the whole thing well performed.2

Father, thank You for what You’ve given me to do, especially for my family You’ve given me to look after. Thank You it’s not about a frantic hurry to complete a set task—it’s about a willing heart that trusts in You. Help me recognize the work You give, and to serve You well. help me recognize and let go of the distractions.

Let this week’s song be our prayer: “To God Alone,” by Aaron Shust.

1New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

2Brother Lawrence, as recorded in Practicing His Presence, © MCMLXXIII by Gene Edwards, Christian Books.

Scurry Syndrome

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My friend Belinda at Whatever He Says posted something the other day that keeps coming back to my mind:

I recognized that paradoxically, I was multi-tasking during my “quiet time.” There was no rush to do any of these things, nor any good reason to do more than one thing at a time. I decided to stop and savour each thing individually instead of trying to do so many things at once. (click the quotation to read the full post.)

Especially at this time of year it’s easy to slip into scurry mode, rushing, hurrying, trying to keep track of three or four things at once.

Somehow God slowed me down this Advent season, and I’ve been enjoying such a sense of peace. A couple of times this week, wisps of “hurry” stirred within me and I realized what had been missing in the peace: anxiety. No thank you, I do not want it back. I’ve been consciously stopping to pray and remind myself that everything is in God’s hands and not mine.

Let’s have a conversation: How do you keep the scurry syndrome from ruling your life?

What He Says

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For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
1 Peter 1:18-19, NIV*

Today is one of those days with more to do than hours to do it, and it’s been weighing on me since yesterday. But I think the same practice should apply here as if I were going into any other type of stressful or scary situation:

  • Trust in the Lord with all my heart, don’t lean on my own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
  • Pray for wisdom to discern what God sees as important for the day, rather than assuming my entire list is the day’s agenda.

He says He’ll never leave me. Matthew 28:20

He says nothing can separate me from His love in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:38-39

He says all I need to do is ask for wisdom, because He wants to give it. James 1:5

He says trust Him and don’t rely on my own understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6

He says my times are in His hands. Psalm 32:14-15

I choose to believe Him and to watch for and follow His lead.

Father God, thank you for redeeming me from the empty way of life handed down for generations. Thank You that circumstances and hurry-panic don’t own me anymore. Jesus, my Shepherd and the Overseer of my soul, has rescued me. Thank You that I’m in His care now, under His leading and authority. I choose to walk in that today, Christ being my helper.

The song God gave me is David Crowder’s “Every Move I Make.” How good of Him to choose a peppy one to energize me!

*New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.