The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

I am in the midst of the busiest few weeks I have had in ages. Long days, information coming at me, queries, escalations and HR-related issues are among the tasks and activities I have had to deal with. This is just at work! Add in home projects and volunteering at Church (and writing a blog!) and time evaporates.
 
I have had a couple of days where I have come home, gone straight to bed only to get up early the next day to jump on a train.
 
I share this not for sympathy, but as I suspect many of you are living versions of this reality in your own lives. How do I fit in speaking to my wife and family or even my mum and friends? Forget personal health and fitness goals or having time to read and meditate on the word of God.
 
We live with more automation and time saving devices than in any time in history, yet we have no time.
 
A 2021 paper from the American Psychological Association found that 70% of people surveyed felt stressed at work caused by compounding pressures in their work and home lives.
 
What are we doing!? Is this really what life in the west in 2023 is all about!? Do we chuck it all in and buy a cabin in the woods?
 
During this week I was reminded of a book by John Mark Comer called “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” which is a book that explores our cultural obsession with rushing and how it harms our relationships, health, sense of purpose and spirituality.
 
The book argues for cultivating a slower, more intentional way of life, including the importance of Sabbath rest, a thing I have attempted to introduce but have largely failed.
 
In Mark 2:27 we learn that The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath: Comer argues that the Sabbath is a gift from God to humanity, a day of rest and renewal that is essential for our physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. He encourages readers to make Sabbath a regular practice in their lives.
 
Also Matthew 11:28-30 tells us “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Comer draws on this passage to highlight the restorative power of Jesus Christ, who invites us to lay down our burdens and find rest in Him. He encourages readers to cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus and to trust in His love and grace.
 
The key take away from this is that if we don’t make this a deliberate thing it won’t happen by accident.
 
Take a block of time out on a weekly basis, ideally Friday evening to Saturday evening to just stop. Spend precious time with family, rest, potter around the house with no particular agenda. Eat a meal together. Put down your phones. Be present. Most importantly, carve out some time to be alone with God, study His word and wait on His voice.
 
If you have to rush about for the other six days of the week then so be it, but this one day out will let you recharge, recentre and reconnect with your heavenly Father and the others you love.
 
If you try this and find it to be a deeply fulfilling life change, let me know how you did it!
 
A prayer - Dear Lord, be with us as we run to and fro in our busy lives, Help us to see and understand what is important and what we can let go of. Most importantly, help us build right boundaries in our lives that will allow us to take the time we need to rest and recharge and spend time with you. Amen.