Dallas Willard once wrote, “You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” This is difficult for me to hear. I struggle slowing down. I have a need to always be accomplishing something. I admit to having difficulty enjoying vacations because I’m always focusing on what’s next instead of taking time to enjoy the moment. Perhaps you can relate. The issue is if we never slow down, we will miss what God has intended for us to notice along the way.
Did you notice Jesus was never in a hurry? He seemed to always have time to stop and have a conversation or to touch someone in need. While others were busy trying to fill His agenda, Jesus went off by Himself to pray (Mark 1:35–37). He understood the value of eliminating hurry from His life.
What could you do to ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life? If you haven’t noticed, life continues to speed up with each passing year. There are several things filling our days which virtually did not exist a decade ago. Smart Phones and Social Media rule the day. The instant and always-on nature of these diversions are literally rewiring our brains and robbing us of our ability to focus and concentrate.
I am certainly not calling these social advancements evil, but I think Satan has been all too happy to take advantage of them and use them against us. Remember, the goal of the devil is always to distract us, to keep our eyes off God. Today it is more difficult than ever to find extended and uninterrupted time in solitude. We used to just be able to close the door. Now we must hide, unplug, or perhaps throw away all the electronic gadgetry taking up residence in our homes and pockets. The incessant siren call of electronics causes us to feel anxious and further speeds us up as we are constantly looking for the next input.
We are a long way from ruthlessly eliminating hurry from our lives. In fact, we only seem to be adding to it. Today’s jobs rarely end when we leave the office. There is an expectation we be available whenever the boss decides they need us. We are overly busy, overly distracted, and overly hurried.
Breathe.
Slow down.
Each one of us is in control of how hurried our lives will be. We can limit the time we spend on social media. We can turn off notifications on our phones and computers. Try turning off the television and reading a book, playing a board game, or {gasp} having an actual conversation. Above all, find a way to isolate yourself for at least thirty minutes a day; the longer the better. Spend this time in prayer with God and in the study of His Word. These changes will be radical to many. They will seem outdated and old-fashioned to most. I know the world has changed, but God has not changed, nor has His wisdom. Get away by yourself. Ruthlessly eliminate hurry and distraction. As it turns out, your life may depend on it.