John Ortberg tells the story of seeking advice from Dallas Willard, author of The Divine Conspiracy and who now has graduated on. He recounts the following.
“Not long after moving to Chicago, I called a wise friend to ask for some spiritual direction.I described the pace of life in my current ministry. The church where I serve tends to move at a fast clip. I also told him about our rhythms of family life: we are in the van-driving, soccer-league, piano-lesson, school-orientation-night years. I told him about the present condition of my heart, as best I could discern it. What did I need to do, I asked him, to be spiritually healthy?
Long pause…
‘You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life,’ he said at last. Another long pause. ‘Okay, I’ve written that one down,’ I told him, a little impatiently. ‘That’s a good one. Now what else is there?’ I had many things to do, and this was a long-distance call, so I was anxious to cram as many units of spiritual wisdom into the least amount of time possible.
Another long pause. ‘There is nothing else,’ he said. ‘You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.’”
Most of the promises to yourself and desires for the New Year are even now lost in the fast pace of a year well underway. My guess would be that a new posture that probably did not make your new “to-do list” for the year ahead was to ruthlessly eliminate hurry. It didn’t make mine. And it should.
Getting more accomplished in fewer productive hours of a day is something praised and rewarded. The more that can be accomplished, the more a person or organization is viewed to be a success. The speed of life continues to intensify and our response is more. What if the posture should be just the opposite?
In contrast, Jesus constantly withdrew from the crowds and activities. As the pace and notoriety increased, His response was a lesson he taught to his followers. In one instance, when they returned from a busy time of ministry, fueled by growing crowds and interest, he told them, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves, with me and rest a while.” (Mark 6:31)
We cram more into our days and schedules and then use some of our favorite lines… “I am just too busy,” or “I just can’t afford to stop right now,” as justification for the hurry and addicted pace the more that occurs. Opposite to the one we should continue to apprentice.
In Invitation to Solitude and Silence Ruth Haley Barton talks about how she had to learn the importance of learning to sit — even for ten minutes a day—to let the river water her soul.
Maybe it’s those times when quiet is hardest to find that is actually when we need it the most. The Psalmist tells us, Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
Practicing the discipline of solitude has to start somewhere. Here are three simple steps to take in replacing hurry with solitude.
(1) intentional times of stillness (quiet, alone, over sustained time, conversation-less)
(2) intentional quieting from the distractions (cell phones, social media, email)
(3) intentional periods of listening (spiritual direction, disciplines, new practices)
Three postures that move out of the fast lane, especially when it all seems to be working the most.
Three questions as you coach the hurry of others: (1) Tell me about when/how you best hear Christ’s voice? (2) What would it look like to place regular times of spiritual reflection in your schedule? (3) What could it look if you were to spend time in quiet, disconnected and focus on your journey with Christ?
A different year?
