Book Review: “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry”

Hey, friends! I hope this year has been good to you so far.  I recently finished reading a book that my friend, Martia, recommended entitled, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.”  Y’all, I’ve been so eager to get the word out about this book and to share my reflections with you because of how impactful it has been for me!  

The author’s (John Mark Comer) intent behind the book is to show readers how to remain emotionally healthy and spiritually alive in today’s modern world, and he does this by sharing four simple practices that readers can implement to “unhurry” their lives.  What I appreciated most about the book was Comer’s use of the first part of the book to help readers identify the source of their overworked, tired souls as well as the dangers of their busy, hurried lifestyles.  This part of the book, I believe, was so critical because of the level of awareness that it brought to our culture’s problem of busyness and hurry and the threat this problem presents to our emotional and spiritual health. 

One of the first passages that I found insightful was the following:

“If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy…both sin and busyness have the exact same effect – they cut off your connection to God, to other people, and even to your own soul.” – Corrie ten Boom

As I continued to read the first part of this book, I began to take self-inventory and came to the realization that busyness has become a subtle tactic that the enemy has used to pull me off center and distract me; because he knows that if he can keep me busy, he can keep my attention off of the things that truly matter and are life giving (i.e. God, community and rest).  As I continued to reflect, I was able to clearly see how my busy, hurried lifestyle has at times resulted in a restless spirit, limited capacity, impatience, lack of focus, frustration, lack of peace, and time apart from God.  

Did you catch that? Time apart from God. So in essence, busyness can become a type of distraction that threatens our faith and disconnects us from God.  Comer helped me to understand why this is such a skillful tactic of the enemy, because “attention leads to awareness” and “what you give your attention to [influences] the person you become.”  No wonder the enemy doesn’t want God to have my attention; because when God has my attention, I become more aware of Him – His word, His voice, and His will – and when I become more aware of these things and give Him my full devotion, I become more like Him. 

This was a significant revelation for me, because what I came to realize is if the enemy can keep my heart and mind consumed with the things of this world and keep me busy, he can keep me from living the life that Jesus lived and invites me to live as His child – an unhurried life, where space for God and love for people are top priorities. 

Can you relate to any of this?

Well, towards the end of the book, Comer shares four practices that we can implement into our lives to counteract the downward spiral of a busy, hurried life.  These guiding practices include: 1) silence and solitude, 2) sabbath, 3) simplicity, and 4) slowing.  

In the chapter entitled, Silence and Solitude, Comer highlighted the importance of creating space for attention and connection to God.  He also shared many examples throughout scripture of Jesus retreating to quiet places to connect with God.  What I learned from this chapter is that moments of silence and solitude create opportunities for me to draw closer to God and for His voice to be amplified in my life. These moments also ground me, allowing my mind and body to slow down and my spirit to settle into a peaceful state. 

Since reading this book, I’ve grown more comfortable in silence and become more intentional about creating time and space for silence.  While uncomfortable at first, it has become a place that I desire more of because of the peace and clarity that I gain from these moments in addition to the connection that I feel to God. And it’s been so beautiful to see how God meets in these moments, especially when I use the time for prayer, worship, journaling or to read His word. 

In the next chapter, Sabbath, Comer spends time unpacking the meaning of Sabbath and what scripture teaches us about this practice.  I love the way that Comer explains it in the following passage: 

“…Sabbath is more than just a day; it’s a way of being in the world. It’s a spirit of restfulness that comes from abiding, from living in the Father’s loving presence all week long.”

I don’t know about you, but I want this for my life!  Since reading this chapter, I’ve come to the realization that Sabbath is a gift from God that I haven’t fully received.  So I’ve been taking the time to unwrap this gift by first contemplating what Sabbath looks like for me.  

What’s so crazy is that while writing this section of the post, God revealed to me, “The answer is already in front of you,” and He reminded me of my word (intention) for this year – which is abide.  Then He said, now re-read the quote you highlighted above.  Y’all, I’m literally in tears as I write this.  God is so good, and I just love the way He reveals Himself to me and reminds me that He is near.  What I realized in this moment is that I’ve been spending time searching for ways to practice Sabbath in a more traditional sense, and that’s ok; but God wants me to go deeper so that it becomes a part of who I am and not just something I do.   

In the following chapter entitled, Simplicity, Comer reveals the dangers of materialism and a cluttered life filled with busyness and distractions (i.e. discontentment, anxiety, etc.); and he goes on to explain how the most important things in life aren’t things at all. One of the ways simplicity was defined in this chapter was, “The intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from them.” (Joshua Becker)

I love this idea of simplicity; because it teaches us to align our lives, spending habits and schedules around what matters most.  It also helps us to develop a heart of contentment, realizing that with God we have everything we need to live a full, content life. 

The final practice Comer discussed was Slowing.  This chapter was filled with so many practical tips to help readers slow down their bodies and move through the world at a relaxed pace.  I’m not sure about you; but I tend to rush often, especially when I’m driving.  What’s crazy is I rush even when I’m not in a time crunch.  So I’ve started to incorporate elements of slowing when it comes to driving and other areas of my life where needed; and I’ve found this practice so rewarding!  Slowing has also helped me to grow in patience and to be fully present to one thing or person at a time.  Ultimately, slowing has allowed me to enjoy things, people, and experiences on a deeper level. 

I am so grateful for this book and my friend, Martia, for sharing this book with me! This book has served as a personal invitation from God to reconstruct and build my life in a way that resembles the practices of Jesus.  And I know that following His practices and teachings will lead to a life well lived 🙂 

I highly encourage you to grab a copy of this book and share it with those in your community!  Also, check out the “Fight Hustle, End Hurry” podcast by John Mark Comer and Jefferson Bethke.  Bethke wrote a book with a similar theme entitled, “To Hell with the Hustle: Reclaiming Your Life in an Overworked, Overspent, and Overconnected World,” and they discuss the dangers of hustle and hurry to our spiritual lives as well as actions listeners can take to resist and overcome these temptations. 

Happy reading and listening,

Imanne

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