Be still, and know that I am God.” ~ Psalm 46:10 (NIV)
In the book, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry,” John Mark Comer, a pastor, writes that hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life. The concern is not that we have a lot to do, the concern is we have too much to do and the only way to get from one point to another is to hurry.
Comer quotes Corrie Ten Boom who said that if the “evil one cannot make us bad, this one will make us busy.” There’s a lot here we need to consider. Both sin and busyness have the same impact on our life. They cut us off from our connection to God, other people, and even our own soul.
Comer goes on to write in his book that hurry and love are incompatible. Many of our worst moments come when we are in a hurry. Life is hard when we are late for a meeting or we get behind on our “to do” list. When this happens, we become anxious and we bother others.
Consider the last time you were in a tight spot, how did you relate to those who are most important to you? Did you express a genuine love? Hurry and love do not mix.They are like oil and water. When the Apostle Paul writes about love in 1 Corinthians 13, he encourages “patience,” not hurry. We often talk about walking with God, not running with God. When we are in a hurry, we don’t love, and we don’t notice the source of that love, and that is God.
I invite you this fall to slow down your schedule a bit and focus on God and the important people in your life. It might be helpful to “savor” the moment and not be so anxious to move ahead. Some reminders are to . . .
- Engage in Contemplation. Allow yourself to be fully present with God and others.
- Pray. Begin and end your day in prayer. Say “breath prayers” throughout the day.
- Be Surprised. Remain open to the wonders of God.
- Help Someone. When we assist others we experience God and we make a difference.
May you experience many blessings this fall!
Grace and peace, Pastor Scott