Ever wondered what it means to truly live in God's kingdom? What if we told you it involved eliminating hurry from your life? Interested in exploring how the teachings of Jesus, ancient societies, and the wisdom of philosophers like Carl Jung can guide us to a more spiritually connected, joyful, and peaceful existence? Dive in to discover how simplicity, patience, and the art of slowing down can lead to a fulfilling life, rich in love, joy, and peace.

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World

John Comer, the author, was deeply influenced by Dallas Willard, a philosopher known for teaching the way of Jesus. One time, John asked Willard how to become the person he wanted to be. Willard's profound answer was, "You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life." 

This struck a chord with John. We live in a world where hurry is rampant, leading to spiritual and emotional disconnection. Carl Jung once said, "Hurry is not of the devil; hurry is the devil." This resonates deeply, as hurry impedes our ability to love, experience joy, and find peace—all central to Jesus's teachings.

Consider this: modern life is filled with distractions, from our smartphones to endless commitments. These distractions distance us from God, others, and our own souls. Michael Zigarelli's research found that busyness leads to a cycle of spiritual deterioration. The problem isn't having things to do but having too much to do, forcing us to hurry constantly.

Our culture glorifies busyness as a sign of success, yet this frenetic pace is damaging. It's not just emotional health at stake; our spiritual lives are under threat. We need to slow down to nurture love, joy, and peace. 

Even historically, the world wasn’t always this fast. Ancient societies lived according to natural rhythms. The clock and later technologies like the light bulb and the internet accelerated life, but not necessarily for the better. Now, constant digital distractions fragment our attention and degrade our ability to concentrate and connect deeply with life and God.

John's advice from Willard is clear: eliminate hurry. To truly live in God's kingdom, we need to slow down. Only then can we experience the love, joy, and peace that Jesus offers. This isn't just about reducing stress; it's about reclaiming our souls and living fully.

Can Eliminating Hurry Transform Your Spiritual Life?

Time is a universal issue, but adding more hours isn't the answer. Imagine if we all got ten more hours a day; we'd probably just fill them with more tasks, only to end up more exhausted. The solution isn't in doing more but in simplifying life to focus on what truly matters. The wisdom of essentialism and minimalism isn't new; it's what Jesus' teachings have been about for centuries. Genesis tells us we're made from both God's image and dust, highlighting our potential and limitations. 

Our culture pushes us to defy these limitations, to be everywhere and do everything. This leads to "entertainment anxiety," where the overwhelming amount of content makes us anxious about missing out. The truth is, we can't do it all. Accepting our limitations could be a path to peace, aligning with God's purpose for us. 

Time is finite for everyone, regardless of status or ambition. Life requires choices; every yes is a thousand nos. We need to learn to say no and live deliberately, as Thoreau did when he retreated to the woods. Without this intentional living, we risk missing what truly matters. 

The way to truly live isn't in chasing an impossible to-do list but in adopting the lifestyle of Jesus. He invites us to take on his "easy yoke," a way of life that offers rest for our souls. This isn't about escaping life's burdens but learning to carry them differently, with Jesus' teachings as our guide. 

Jesus lived an unhurried life, filled with margin for what mattered most. He demonstrated a lifestyle where love and connection were prioritized. Following Jesus means adopting his rhythms and routines, making space for God and people. 

The challenge for us is not a lack of time but the need to reallocate it toward what matters. We must construct a "trellis" for our lives, a structure supporting our journey with Jesus. This involves the practices of Jesus—prayer, simplicity, community—and integrating them into our daily routines. 

In doing so, we access a life beyond our own capabilities, opening ourselves to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. This isn't just about willpower but inviting God's presence into every aspect of our lives. Jesus doesn't command these practices; he models them, inviting us to follow. The invitation is clear: slow down, simplify, and live a life aligned with his teachings.

Embrace the 'Easy Yoke': Jesus' Timeless Guide to Intentional Living

Remember boredom? Yeah, that thing from the '90s where you’d fly across the country with nothing to do but stare out the window or wait in line at a coffee shop with no smartphone to distract you. 

Those moments, believe it or not, were potential portals to prayer—a time to wake up to God, our souls, and the world around us. Now, a Microsoft survey found 77% of young adults reach for their phones the second they get bored. This constant digital distraction robs us of the ability to be present—to God, to others, and to our own souls.

Jesus faced the same challenge of busyness. After his baptism, he headed into the desert, the eremos, for forty days. Contrary to what one might think, the wilderness was his place of strength, where he could pray and fast, preparing him to face the devil. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly returned to the eremos for solitude and prayer, even at the busiest times. This quiet place was not a one-time retreat but a regular rhythm in his life.

Silence and solitude are crucial. Silence involves both external quiet—no noise, no distractions—and internal quiet, silencing the mental chatter in our minds. Solitude is being alone with God, not isolation but engagement, letting our souls grow and connect with God.

Without setting aside time for silence and solitude, our relationship with God withers. Like any relationship, it needs time together. Henri Nouwen emphasized that without solitude, it’s impossible to live a spiritual life. Mother Teresa advised spending an hour a day adoring God. When we neglect this, we feel distant from God, anxious, exhausted, and emotionally unhealthy.

But when we practice silence and solitude, we decompress, feel our emotions, hear God’s voice, and find our identities and callings. It’s a radical but essential practice, making the rest of life easier. Let’s bring back the quiet time, starting our days in the quiet place, reconnecting with God and ourselves.

Can Digital Detoxes Bring Us Closer to God?

Desire, while a powerful motivator, can also lead to an endless cycle of dissatisfaction. As Thomas Aquinas observed, our desires are infinite—we would need to experience everything to feel satisfied. Karl Rahner described life as an "unfinished symphony," highlighting our perpetual restlessness.

The concept of Sabbath, derived from the Hebrew word "Shabbat," meaning "to stop," offers a remedy. It is a practice of resting and worshiping, a break from work and worry. The Sabbath is not about legalism but a gift for us to enjoy life in God's presence. Jesus himself practiced and taught the importance of Sabbath, emphasizing its purpose for mankind's benefit.

Sabbath is more than a day off; it's a way of living that cultivates restfulness. It contrasts the relentless pace of modern life—filled with busyness, noise, and isolation—with a slower, more deliberate rhythm. The practice involves intentional rest and worship, filling our souls with joy and gratitude.

God modeled this practice by resting on the seventh day of creation, setting a rhythm for humanity. Ignoring this rhythm leads to physical, emotional, and spiritual exhaustion. Studies have shown that regular practice of Sabbath can lead to longer, healthier lives.

Sabbath also serves as an act of resistance against the relentless demands of modern culture, promoting contentment and justice. It's a counter-cultural statement against the endless pursuit of more—more work, more possessions, more accomplishments.

Practicing Sabbath requires preparation and intentionality. It may take time to perfect, but the benefits are profound. Sabbath involves disconnecting from technology, gathering for a meal, and engaging in restful activities like reading, walking, and simply being together. This practice reconnects us with God, each other, and our own souls, offering a sense of peace and fulfillment.

The Sabbath is a gift that aligns us with the rhythm of creation and offers a taste of true rest in a world driven by hurry and consumption. It's a practice worth embracing for a life of joy, peace, and connection with God.

Embrace Peace and Joy: Jesus' Call to Sabbath Rest

Imagine a world where happiness isn't measured by the number of things we own, but by the quality of life we lead. This is the radical idea Jesus proposed, challenging the materialistic mindset that dominates much of modern culture. He suggested that true life isn't found in possessions, but in something deeper and more enduring.

In contrast, the "gospel of America" preaches the opposite: happiness is one purchase away. This consumer-driven mentality has become a new form of religion, where shopping malls are temples, and advertisements are the new gospel. This shift hasn't always been the norm; a century ago, most Americans were self-sustaining farmers. Over time, a shift towards urbanization and industrialization transformed society into a consumption-driven economy.

This shift didn't happen by chance. After World War II, influential figures conspired to reshape the economy around consumerism. The result? A culture where buying things becomes a way to find meaning and identity. Yet, despite this abundance, happiness hasn't increased. Studies show that beyond a middle-class income, more money doesn't equate to more happiness. In fact, it might even lead to a decline in emotional well-being.

The answer might lie in simplicity. This isn't about living in poverty or depriving oneself of joy, but about focusing on what truly matters and shedding the excess. Simplicity, or minimalism, is about intentional living, promoting what we value most, and removing distractions. It's not just about decluttering our homes but our lives, making room for meaningful relationships and spiritual growth.

Embracing simplicity isn't about rigid rules but about principles that guide us towards freedom. It's about recognizing the true cost of our possessions, avoiding impulse purchases, and learning to appreciate things we don't own. It's about giving generously and living by a budget to ensure our resources align with our values.

At its heart, simplicity is about rejecting the lie that more stuff equals more happiness. It's about finding contentment in the present, regardless of our circumstances. As the apostle Paul noted, true contentment comes from a deep, ongoing connection with Jesus, not from chasing after the next big thing. In this way, simplicity isn't just a practice; it's a path to the "life that is truly life."

Could Embracing Jesus' Radical Idea of Simplicity Lead to True Happiness in Today's Consumer-Driven World?

John adores rules. They offer him a sense of safety and calm. He loves having a plan. He even maps out his days off by the hour, and it usually leads to a fulfilling day. But he has noticed something interesting—those who are anti-rule often seem to live reactively, letting life happen to them rather than them steering it.

John believes that aligning our schedules with our values brings peace. He is exploring the concept of "gamification" in personal growth—turning it into games. This playful approach helps him slow down in this fast-paced world. And while these may not be traditional spiritual disciplines, they help counteract the frantic pace of modern life, something John Ortberg and Richard Foster call "slowing."

Take driving, for instance—John has turned it into a spiritual discipline by adhering to the speed limit, choosing the slow lane, and coming to full stops. It’s about detoxing from our addiction to speed and finding moments of presence, even while behind the wheel.

In everyday life, he challenges himself to small acts of patience, like choosing the longest checkout line or showing up early for appointments without his phone. And speaking of phones, he is on a mission to transform his into a "dumbphone" by minimizing distractions and embracing simplicity.

In the pursuit of slowing down, John has embraced practices like single-tasking, walking slower, and taking regular days for silence and solitude. They ground him, offering clarity and peace. Journaling and meditation have become tools for reflection, helping him to observe and learn from life’s moments.

Vacations aren’t just for rest; they’re a spiritual discipline, a time to truly unwind and recharge. And at home, cooking and dining together as a family fosters connection and laughter, creating cherished memories.

This journey is about finding joy in the present, amidst the chaos and calm. It’s about living gamefully, relishing the goodness each day brings. As John slows down and breathes, he is discovering a life that’s full of meaning and contentment. It’s not about perfection, but about practicing presence, one moment at a time.

Slow Down and Breathe: Embracing John Ortberg's Wisdom for a Meaningful Life

Hurry disrupts our spiritual and emotional well-being, preventing us from experiencing love, joy, and peace. This frantic pace, fueled by modern distractions and endless commitments, distances us from God, others, and our own souls. 

Our culture glorifies busyness as a sign of success, but it’s detrimental to our spiritual health. To truly nurture what matters, we must slow down and simplify, creating space for intentional living and deep connections. This isn’t about adding more hours to our day but about focusing on what’s essential and adopting rhythms that prioritize love and connection.

Jesus modeled an unhurried lifestyle, making time for solitude, silence, and prayer. Practicing these disciplines allows us to decompress, feel our emotions, hear God’s voice, and find our true identities. Sabbath is another crucial practice, offering rest and worship that counteracts the relentless demands of modern life.

Simplicity is key, not just in decluttering our homes but our lives, making room for meaningful relationships and spiritual growth. Embracing simplicity isn’t about rigid rules but about principles that guide us toward freedom and contentment. 

In daily life, slowing down can be practiced through small acts of patience and mindfulness. By turning everyday activities into opportunities for presence, we can counteract the addiction to speed and find moments of clarity and peace.

This journey is about relishing the goodness each day brings, living gamefully, and discovering a life full of meaning and contentment. It's not about perfection but about practicing presence, one moment at a time.

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The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World

John Mark Comer

7 Key ideas

18 MINS

4.9 (2.4k)

Ever wondered what it means to truly live in God's kingdom?

What if we told you it involved eliminating hurry from your life?

Interested in exploring how the teachings of Jesus, ancient societies, and the wisdom of philosophers like Carl Jung can guide us to a more spiritually connected, joyful, and peaceful existence?

Dive in to discover how simplicity, patience, and the art of slowing down can lead to a fulfilling life, rich in love, joy, and peace.