John Mark Comer

The drive to possess is an engine for hurry.

Our time is our life, and our attention is the doorway to our hearts.

Multitasking is just sleight of hand for switching back and forth between a lot of different tasks so I can do them all poorly instead of doing one well.

One of the best ways to slow down your overall pace of life is to literally slow down your body.

What you give your attention to is the person you become.

If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus.

Hurry is the Great Enemy of Spiritual Life

John Mark Comer argues that hurry is not just a minor inconvenience but a significant barrier to spiritual and emotional well-being. He emphasizes that modern lifestyles filled with constant busyness detract from meaningful engagement with God, others, and oneself. Comer quotes Dallas Willard, 'You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life,' to underline the necessity of intentional, radical change. By creating space for stillness and simplifying commitments, individuals can restore their emotional and spiritual health.

The Destructive Cycle of Hurry

Comer highlights how a hurried lifestyle leads to a cycle of stress and spiritual disconnection. He notes that Christians often assimilate to a culture of busyness, which marginalizes God and deteriorates their relationship with Him. 'Hurry and love are oil and water: they simply do not mix,' Comer states, emphasizing that a hurried lifestyle is incompatible with experiencing love, joy, and peace. By embracing slowness and practicing patience, individuals can foster deeper, more meaningful relationships.

The Power of Silence and Solitude

Comer underscores the transformative power of silence and solitude in counteracting the detrimental effects of a hurried life. He shares that Jesus often withdrew to quiet places to pray, indicating the profound importance of these moments for spiritual strength and clarity. 'In silence and solitude our souls finally come home,' Comer asserts. Regularly engaging in these practices helps individuals tap into divine power and maintain a grounded spiritual life amidst the chaos.

Sabbath as a Day of Rest and Worship

Comer emphasizes that a true Sabbath goes beyond simply being a day off from work; it is a dedicated time for rest and worship. He critiques the way Western culture misconstrues the Sabbath by filling it with chores and leisure activities that don't necessarily align with rest or spiritual nourishment. 'The Sabbath is the only one of the Ten Commandments with a 'why' behind it,' Comer notes, highlighting its importance as a day to rejuvenate the soul and resist the relentless consumerism of modern society.

Living with Less

Comer advocates for a lifestyle of simplicity, contrasting it with a world obsessed with consumerism. He suggests that by reducing material possessions and focusing on what truly matters, individuals can cultivate a richer, more blessed life. 'The world is constantly asking, 'How do I get more?' But the apprentice of Jesus is regularly found asking, 'How can I live with less?'' Comer states. This approach not only brings contentment but also aligns with Jesus's teachings on generosity and thoughtful consumption.

Create Space for Stillness

Intentionally set aside parts of your day for silence and solitude. This practice helps restore emotional and spiritual health, allowing space for contemplation and connection with God.

Embrace Slowness

Prioritize activities that promote a slower, more deliberate pace, such as reading poetry or practicing mindfulness. This helps you feel more centered and grounded.

Designate a Sacred Sabbath

Make a clear distinction between a day off and a true Sabbath by actively planning a day free from chores, errands, and typical leisure activities that don't contribute to rest or worship.

Evaluate Necessity Before Purchase

Always ask yourself, 'Do I actually need this?' before making a purchase, promoting mindful consumption over impulsive buying.

Limit Digital Distractions

Be mindful of how much time you spend on your phone or social media. Try putting your phone away during meals or key moments of the day to reduce distraction and increase your focus on the present moment.

You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.

Hurry is the root problem underneath so many of the symptoms of toxicity in our world.

Hurry and love are oil and water: they simply do not mix.

To walk with Jesus is to walk with a slow, unhurried pace. Hurry is the death of prayer and only impedes and spoils our work.

The noise of the modern world makes us deaf to the voice of God, drowning out the one input we most need.

We get sucked into the tyranny of the urgent, not the important.

In silence and solitude our souls finally come home.

Desire is infinite partly because we were made by God, made for God, made to need God, and made to run on God.

The Sabbath is the anchor discipline of the people of God. So crucial that God lovingly commands us to remember to rest.

Corrie ten Boom once said that if the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy. There’s truth in that. 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.

To restate: love, joy, and peace are at the heart of all Jesus is trying to grow in the soil of your life. And all three are incompatible with hurry.

The drive to possess is an engine for hurry.

Our time is our life, and our attention is the doorway to our hearts.

Multitasking is just sleight of hand for switching back and forth between a lot of different tasks so I can do them all poorly instead of doing one well.

One of the best ways to slow down your overall pace of life is to literally slow down your body.

What you give your attention to is the person you become.

If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus.

You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.

Hurry is the root problem underneath so many of the symptoms of toxicity in our world.

Hurry and love are oil and water: they simply do not mix.

To walk with Jesus is to walk with a slow, unhurried pace. Hurry is the death of prayer and only impedes and spoils our work.

The noise of the modern world makes us deaf to the voice of God, drowning out the one input we most need.

We get sucked into the tyranny of the urgent, not the important.

In silence and solitude our souls finally come home.

Desire is infinite partly because we were made by God, made for God, made to need God, and made to run on God.

The Sabbath is the anchor discipline of the people of God. So crucial that God lovingly commands us to remember to rest.