“The Western church has lost sight of the fact that the way of Jesus is just that: a way of life. It’s not just a set of ideas (what we call theology) or a list of dos and don’ts (what we call ethics). I mean, it is that, but it’s so much more. It’s a way of life based on that of Jesus himself. A lifestyle.”—John Mark Comer
“Psychologists actually believe now that we suffer from something called hurry sickness which is defined as a behaviour pattern characterized by continual rushing and anxiousness, or an uncomfortable feeling in which someone feels chronically short of time, and so tends to perform every task faster and to get flustered when encountering any kind of delay.”
In our society, busyness has become the new status ‘symbol,’ as in, being busy allows individuals to feel important. We often equate free time with a lack of success of desirability and therefore strive to make that a part of our lives. There is an incessant need to do more, connect more, work more, vacation more, rest more, exercise more, and it goes on and on. Now it is not that these behaviours or goals are inherently bad but we normally in turn trade our emotional and spiritual well-beings in order to fit it all in. Psychologists actually believe now that we suffer from something called hurry sickness, which is defined as a behaviour pattern characterized by continual rushing and anxiousness, or an uncomfortable feeling in which someone feels chronically short of time, and so tends to perform every task faster and to get flustered when encountering any kind of delay. Does this at all sound familiar? Symptoms for hurry sickness include: moving from one checkout line to another because it looks shorter/faster, counting the cars in front of you and either getting in the lane that has the least or is going the fastest, and multi-tasking to the point of forgetting one of the tasks. Okay, now that is definitely some of us whether or not we care to admit it! However, in the midst of all this pressure and hurry, there is hope.
Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” In his book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, John Mark Comer takes this verse seriously and practically lays out how the Christian faith is supposed to lead us into real rest that leaves our body, soul and mind full of joy and peace instead of weariness and chaos.
John Mark opens his book by outlining that hurry is actually the greatest enemy to our spiritual lives. There is a famous quote which states “if Satan can’t get you to sin, he’ll keep you busy.” How true is that? Comer explains how “today, you’re far more likely to run into the enemy in the form of an alert on your phone while you’re reading your Bible or a multiday Netflix binge or a full-on dopamine addiction to Instagram or a Saturday morning at the office” and it could go on and on. The busier you are, the less time you have for God, yourself and the people around you. Hurry is not compatible with love, joy, and peace – all that take an intentional amount of time to grow in our lives.
Jesus, however, invites us into a life that is filled with the fruits of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control. His pace of life requires us to slow down, invite interruptions, and yield to our constant desire to fill our schedules. So, the real question becomes, what does this look like practically? How can we actually find rest in Him? In the Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, Comer outlines four practices for “unhurrying” your life. These practices are designed to help you get back to yourself and ultimately God. The four practices are: silence and solitude, sabbath, simplicity, and slowing.
Silence and Solitude
This practice is all about intentional time in the quiet to be alone with God and our own soul. It is to take a moment to quiet both the internal and external noise around you to pray and listen to the Father (just as Jesus did). We fear silence and solitude because it causes us to be honest. To be alone with our own thoughts. It calls us out on where we are at in our journey. The key to this practice is set a reasonable goal for the length of time you can do this each day or each week and just try it.
Sabbath
In the Bible, Sabbath is a 24-hour time period of restful worship, by which we cultivate a restful spirit in all of our life and is one of the ten commandments. During a Sabbath day, we stop all working, thinking about working, worrying or wanting. We rest our whole person (sleep, relax, calm down), we pamper ourselves with activities that spark joy (spending time with family/friends, playing games, eating good food, etc.), and finally we also position our heart to be grateful and loving toward God. Sabbath is really a chance to focus yourself back on God from the week, rest well, recharge and have joy.
Simplicity
This is a way of life where we intentionally prioritize the things that really matter. It is intentionally living with less, to make space for more of what we most value before God. This affects how we live in terms of our home, activities, schedule, budget, etc. Basically, this just means having less clothes, less stuff, less options, and to open yourself up for more prayer, more joy, more generosity, more peace, more loving relationships.
Slowing
This is defined as “cultivating patience by deliberately choosing to place ourselves in positions where we simply have to wait.” You can do this by actually driving the speed limit, show up early for an appointment without your phone, or get in the longest line at the checkout on purpose!
Now, John Mark outlines that these are practices meaning that you will not find exactly what works for you on the first try. So, you have to give yourself grace and recognize that the goal is to grow. We are all on a journey to be more like Jesus in all areas and no one has perfected it. Let these practices become habits in your life and see the fruit that comes from them.
—Written by Pastor Kristen