The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
John Mark Comer
16 min
7 Key Points
4.5 RateWhat's inside?
Discover strategies to slow down and find peace amidst the chaos of modern life, promoting emotional health and spiritual well-being.
You'll learn
1. Chill out: tips to slow your roll2. Keeping your cool in a crazy world3. Staying zen in the modern mayhem4. The lowdown on living in the moment5. Making friends and connections that matter6. Finding your sweet spot in life.Key points
01Rushing around can mess with your spiritual health. Slow down and make time for God
Let's chat about this idea of "hurry." You know, that constant feeling of being on a treadmill, always running but never quite catching up. It's like we're all in a race, but we've forgotten what we're racing towards. Sound familiar? John Mark Comer reckons this "hurry" is a real problem for our spiritual health. Picture it like a weed, choking out the good stuff in our spiritual garden. When we're always rushing, we don't have time to connect with the big guy upstairs, to ponder our lives, or to do the things that feed our souls. We end up spiritually starved, and our spiritual lives take a hit. This isn't just some abstract idea. It's real. Psychologists even have a name for it: "hurry sickness." It's when we're always rushing and feeling anxious. And it's becoming more and more common in our fast-paced world. It's a pretty clear sign that this "hurry" thing isn't doing us any favors. And here's another twist. Once upon a time, if you had a high status, you had less work to do. But now, it's the other way around. The higher your status, the busier you're supposed to be. This just feeds into the whole "hurry" culture, making it even harder for us to break free. And let's not forget about our attention spans. Did you know a goldfish can focus for 9 seconds? These days, with all the information overload and the pressure to multitask, many of us can't even beat a goldfish. This lack of focus can mess with our ability to really engage with our spiritual practices, which just makes our spiritual health even worse. So, what's Comer's point? We need to push back against this "hurry" culture if we want to take care of our spiritual lives. That means deliberately slowing down, making time for reflection and connection, and saying no to the pressure to always be busy. It's not easy, but it's crucial for our spiritual health.
02We're only human, we can't do everything. Don't push yourself too hard
Let's talk about limitations. We all have them, right? It's a part of being human. We're not superheroes who can be in two places at once. Even with all the tech we have today, we're still stuck in one spot. We can't teleport or clone ourselves. That's a pretty clear sign of our human limitations. And it's not just about where we can be. It's also about what we know. There's a lot we don't know, and sometimes, what we don't know can hurt us. Like when we eat junk food without realizing how bad it is for us. Or when we think we're the best at something, only to find out there's someone out there who's better. It's a bit of a downer, but it's also a reality check. We're not all-knowing or all-powerful. Our circumstances can limit us too. The family we're born into, the chances we get, the society we live in - they all set boundaries on what we can do. Some people are born with a silver spoon in their mouth, while others have to struggle just to get by. It's a harsh truth, but it's a part of life. Take Peter and John from the Bible, for example. Peter wanted to follow Jesus, but he was given a tough job - to die on an upside-down cross. John had a different path. It's a reminder that even our spiritual journey has its limits. But here's the thing. These limitations aren't necessarily bad. They can actually show us what we're meant to do. They shape our journey and point us in the right direction. One of the biggest limitations we all share is time. We all have the same 24 hours in a day. Every choice we make about how to use our time means saying no to a bunch of other things. We all have enough time, but sometimes we're too distracted or too tired to use it well. Like when we spend hours scrolling through our phones, instead of spending time with our loved ones, learning new things, or just taking a moment to breathe. It's a stark example of how our limitations, especially our limited time, can either hold us back or push us towards a more meaningful life. So, let's embrace our limitations. They're not roadblocks, but signposts, guiding us towards our unique purpose. By acknowledging and accepting them, we can live more intentional, fulfilling lives.
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03Take life slow, it'll help you handle the tough stuff. Plus, you'll enjoy the little things more
04Want to feel closer to God? Find a quiet spot to pray or meditate
05Take a day off each week to rest and reconnect with God. It'll make your whole life more peaceful
06Being simple isn't just about owning less stuff. It's about focusing on what's important and living a chill life
07Conclusion
About John Mark Comer
John Mark Comer is a pastor and author known for his insightful teachings on Christian spirituality. He served as lead pastor for Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon, and is a popular speaker at conferences and seminars. His writings focus on practical spirituality in the modern world.
