photo from Canva
Our Sunday School class is studying a book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Comer. It has been an eye-opening book. At first, it seems the problem for us is hurry and it is holding us back from a closer walk with God. But actually, hurry isn’t really the root problem. The problem is deeper than that. We allow all kinds of cares of this life to get in the way of our relationship with God. Hurry is the surface problem.
As we get further into the book, it may even seem that it is a book about simplifying our lives. It is that. But there is more to it than that. It is about simplifying our lives so we can spend more of our lives with God: talking to Him and reading His Word. It is also about simplifying our lives so we can spend more time in our pursuit of His values such as loving our neighbor as ourself, helping the poor and needy, bringing about justice…
The thing about change is that we can’t change everything at once. This is especially true when it comes to a hurried lifestyle.
Of course, we can’t do all of those things at the same time without having to hurry more and add to our burden. But the unhurried part is reflected in our heart attitude. The only way it is possible to have that in balance is when our time with God is in balance. Without making it a legalistic item that we check off our to do list, but rather something we look forward to for spiritual nourishment and the building of our relationship with Him. This is unhurried time with God. Some of the practices he emphasizes are a Sabbath practice. Again, this is not in a legalistic form, but realizing the need our body and soul has for this practice of time away from electronics, work, the burdens of each week, possibly a special mealtime with family and/or others to reset body and soul, time for extended time with God once a week, etc. Sabbath can be a time of spiritual and physical rest and restoration. It can also be a time for mercy ministry, particularly visiting those who are shut-in. But the focus is not on a less hurried life so we can minister more, but a less hurried lifestyle so we can spend time with God for rejuvenation.
The book has both practical suggestions as well as general principles for not only ways to celebrate Sabbath, but ways to live a simpler life, use less resources, how to change your focus from making as much money as possible to living in a way that glorifies God. The goals are different, but the outcome may be similar. In other words, a wealthy person may still have a goal of glorifying God. That is not for me to judge. The question is, what is your goal? To glorify God primarily? or to make as much money as possible primarily? It is a challenging book. It is not a book you read through and are finished with. It is rather one you read with a group and discuss. More likely, the applications you each come to may look a bit different.
Reading the book may change you, but if you change, it will come from the Holy Spirit, not from the book.
Whether or not a person changes as a result of reading this book is up to the Holy Spirit. The book is not the Holy Spirit. The changes this man made may not be the same as the ones you will make. I did find myself chafing as I started reading the book. I can’t lie. But over the weeks and months as we have been studying it together, I have softened. I feel less stiff than I did at first.
At times, I felt like there was a little left wing push to change me in some areas. But I realized, that some of those areas were places where I needed to change, or at least be more intentional. It was my personal bias. We all have them. Being aware of them is helpful. Now, I am working on the areas where I am going to make some definite changes. They are going to involve baby steps. There are always words that raise red flags in me that are mine alone. I have to deal with them. Books like this are good. I don’t agree with everything but I have to chew on it for a bit a be challenged by it. Then, I have to think about where God wants to change me. The changes are needed.
I’ll have to get back to you for the details once they become habit. I’m not there yet. I have been arguing quite a bit with God over that on one level. But on another level, I don’t really have it down to all the specifics yet. I carry more burdens around than God intends. I don’t trust Him with nearly as much as I need to. I have been challenged. The ball is in my court.
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me,
for I am gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
