Jesus Never Rushed

“Here’s my point: the solution to an overbusy life is not more time. It’s to slow down and simplify our lives around what really matters.” ― John Mark Comer. 

We have more technology at our fingertips than those before us experienced throughout their entire lifetimes. This efficiency hasn’t helped us slow down however; it’s only made us move faster. We can message someone across the world in an instant, but we’re increasingly disconnected in our relationships. Hurry and hustle are swiftly eating up our time—and maybe even our peace of mind. Is this the way Jesus lived?

When you read the gospels, do you get a sense Jesus is rushing from one thing to another as we do from meeting to meeting? The answer is no. He didn’t rush. You never get the sense that he was “checking his watch” and or that people were going to make Him late with their requests. He often took time to minister to someone while He was on His way to minister to someone else (For example, Jairus and the woman who suffered from constant bleeding found in Mark 5:21-43).

Jesus had a lot on His plate. But think about it. He lived a full and obedient life without ever running out of time. He never used an hour uselessly.  Let that sink in for a moment.  Jesus lived the most purposeful life ever lived and at the same time was never rushed.  

Jesus knew His limits. He didn’t try to be in three places at once or cram 30 hours’ worth of activity into 12 hours of daylight. Consider that Jesus didn’t start His ministry until he was 30.  He accepted His limitations and lived life at a godly pace. The question is why do we have such a hard time doing the same thing. 

Corrie ten Boom once said that if the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy. Her logic is sound: both sin and busyness have the exact same effect—they cut off our connection to God, and to other people.  It is easy to be so busy that we don’t live spiritually rich and vibrant lives. You are probably thinking right now busyness has a healthy side. You are right. There is a healthy kind of busyness where your life is full of things that matter, not wasted on empty leisure or trivial pursuits. By that definition, Jesus himself was busy.

The problem isn’t when you have a lot to do; it’s when you have too much to do, and the only way to keep all the balls in the air is to constantly hurry and then hurry a little more. Look for ways to slow down. As you move through your day, pay attention to the feelings of hurry, stress, distraction, or irritation that you feel. Notice how they inhibit your ability to be live the life God calls us to live. Consider pausing 2-3 times during this day to simply breathe, take in God’s loving presence, and the beauty all around you. 

 When we come to Jesus, in the middle of our busyness, He gives us rest.  And we can go about our day, packed as it may be, settled and at peace knowing He is with us and within us, guiding and leading us to do what is most important.

 Discussion Questions:

1. There is plenty of time to do each day what God would have us do without rushing. Agree or disagree and why? 
2.  What can you do this week to prevent being in too much of a rush?