The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

Feeling perpetually hurried, exhausted, and disconnected? *The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry* offers a compelling path to reclaim your life from the tyranny of speed. This book isn't just about time management; it's a soul-searching journey into the root causes of our relentless busyness. Through historical context, insightful observations, and practical guidance, John Mark Comer reveals how 'hurry' undermines our spiritual well-being and offers a way out. Discover the profound impact of silence, solitude, Sabbath, and simplicity as antidotes to the modern malady of hyper-living. Prepare to be challenged, inspired, and equipped to embrace a slower, more intentional, and ultimately more fulfilling life, mirroring the unhurried rhythm of Jesus himself. This isn't a quick fix, but a deep dive into a rule of life that promises lasting peace and genuine connection in a world obsessed with speed.

In this chapter, John Mark Comer, drawing from a conversation between his mentor John Ortberg and Dallas Willard, illuminates hurry as the great enemy of spiritual life, a concept initially met with surprise given the common focus on more obvious modern challenges. The author challenges the listener to consider how often hurry is overlooked as a core spiritual threat, subtly cutting off connection to God, others, and oneself, much like sin or excessive busyness. He cites Carl Jung's assertion that "hurry is the devil," and shares how a therapist pinpointed time as the number one problem in living a spiritually rich life, observing the near-universal response of "good, just busy" when people are asked how they are doing, revealing a culture-wide assimilation to busyness. The author highlights Michael Zigarelli’s survey, which suggests a vicious cycle where busyness marginalizes God, deteriorates relationships with God, and increases vulnerability to secular values, further fueling the busyness. Comer contends that in Christ’s kingdom, love—which demands patience and presence—is paramount, yet hurry makes genuine love impossible, creating tension and agitation instead. He reflects on Kosuke Koyama's concept of a "Three Mile an Hour God," emphasizing that God's love moves at a slow, deliberate pace, contrasting sharply with the world's obsession with speed. The author emphasizes that love, joy, and peace are central to Jesus's vision, yet all three are incompatible with a hurried existence, robbing us of presence and inner calm. Walter Adams, C.S. Lewis's spiritual director, observed that hurry impedes prayer and spoils work, and Ronald Rolheiser diagnoses our age with "pathological busyness," distracting us into spiritual oblivion. Comer draws on T.S. Eliot to describe a world distracted from distraction by distraction, leading to a settling for a mediocre version of faith, and asks if Jesus would say to this generation what he said to Martha: that only few things are needed, advocating for a slowdown spirituality. The chapter serves as a stark reminder that the relentless pursuit of speed jeopardizes not only emotional well-being but also one's spiritual depth, urging a conscious and ruthless elimination of hurry to truly live in the kingdom of God.

John Mark Comer embarks on a historical journey, revealing how our relationship with time has drastically changed. He begins with the Romans, who even in 200 BC, bemoaned the sundial's impact, and then traces the acceleration through the monastic invention of the clock, which shifted us from natural rhythms to artificial ones, dictated not by the sun but by the employer. Comer highlights Edison's light bulb as another turning point, shrinking our sleep from eleven hours to around seven, leaving us perpetually exhausted. The narrative tension rises as he dissects the paradox of labor-saving devices: while they save time, we fill the void with more activities, a shift exemplified by the 1960s' predictions of vast leisure time versus our current reality of busyness as a status symbol. The death of the Sabbath, once a government-mandated pause, further underscores this acceleration, culminating in the advent of the iPhone in 2007, a symbolic marker of the digital age. Comer introduces the idea that our attention, now fragmented into swiftly moving particles, is under constant siege, with Tristan Harris's work exposing how technology is intentionally designed for distraction and addiction, mirroring the addictive nature of slot machines. Sean Parker's confession about Facebook's exploitation of human psychology adds another layer to this critique. The author laments that we're losing the battle for our attention, even to goldfish, and emphasizes that our phones serve corporations, not us, turning our peace of mind into a commodity. Comer urges a healthy suspicion of technology, reminding us that progress doesn't always equate to human betterment. He suggests we emulate the Amish, who cautiously evaluate technology's impact on community and well-being before adopting it. Ultimately, Comer invites us to question whether this relentless pace enhances our souls or diminishes them, advocating for a slower, more intentional way of living, pushing the reader to turn off their phone for a day to evaluate their reliance on technology, a digital Sabbath.

John Mark Comer begins by illustrating the modern malady of hurry through the anecdote of British travelers in Africa, whose porters refused to move until their souls caught up with their bodies, a stark contrast to our modern inability to recognize our own imbalance. He introduces the concept of "hurry sickness," a disease characterized by continual rushing and anxiousness, noting that even decades ago, cardiologists like Meyer Friedman observed its connection to heart conditions. Comer highlights the symptoms of hurry sickness, such as irritability, hypersensitivity, restlessness, and emotional numbness, painting a picture of a life where even minor inconveniences become major emotional events. He suggests that this constant state of hurry leads to out-of-order priorities, a lack of self-care, and escapist behaviors, creating a negative feedback loop where the things that truly nourish our souls are the first to be abandoned, replaced by cultural narcotics. The author underscores that hurry is a form of violence, a sociopathic predator that kills relationships, joy, wisdom, and spirituality, leaving us disconnected from God, others, and ourselves. Attention, he argues, is our scarcest resource, a treasure that shapes our character and spiritual lives; without it, our connection to the divine withers, and we become what we give our attention to. Comer suggests that hurry is often a symptom of deeper issues, a disordered heart running from or toward something, be it past traumas or the fleeting validation of the material world, ultimately leading to what William Irvine calls misliving. He poses the haunting question of whether we have lost our souls in the pursuit of worldly gains, urging us to recognize that an overbusy, hurried life is not just a personal failing but a toxic new normal, a conspiracy against the interior life where anxiety serves as a canary in the coal mine, signaling that something is deeply wrong and in need of urgent correction, a call to reclaim our attention and, with it, our very selves.

John Mark Comer confronts the illusion that more time equates to a better life, a mirage many chase only to find themselves more exhausted. He dismantles the modern urge to transgress limitations, the siren call to consume every experience, watch every show, befriend every face, a cultural fever dream fueled by FOMO and entertainment anxiety. The author argues that the solution isn't expanding the clock but embracing our inherent limitations as humans, made of both divine potential and earthly dust. He suggests that accepting these limits—our finite bodies, minds, and emotional wiring—isn't a defeat but a pathway to discovering God's unique call on our lives. Like a gardener tending a plot, we must discern what truly matters and prune away the excess. Comer illuminates how our limitations, be they socioeconomic origins or the demands of family, paradoxically define our purpose. He challenges the listener to confront the uncomfortable truth that much of our busyness is self-inflicted, a squandering of precious moments on trivial pursuits. He points to Philip Zimbardo's research, revealing how countless hours are lost to video games, time that could be invested in mastering a craft or deepening our spiritual lives. Comer urges a deliberate life, echoing Thoreau's quest in Walden, a life where we confront the essential facts and redeem our time, making the most of every chance. He implores us to recognize that every 'yes' is a thousand 'nos,' a constant negotiation with our finite existence. The call is clear: to slow down, simplify, and live deliberately, not by escaping the world, but by following Jesus right in the heart of its chaos.

John Mark Comer invites us to consider Jesus not just as a theological figure, but as a rabbi offering a practical way of life. The central tension lies in our weariness and burnout, a state Comer argues is now a permanent residence for many. He challenges the notion that quick fixes or societal shifts alone can solve our deep-seated exhaustion. Instead, Comer directs our attention to Jesus' invitation: to take on His yoke, promising rest for our souls. The author unpacks Dallas Willard’s concept of the "easy yoke," revealing that to truly experience Jesus' life, we must adopt His lifestyle, a radical departure from merely cherry-picking theological ideas or ethical guidelines. He illustrates this with the image of Nike-clad runners, highlighting the gap between wanting a certain life and being willing to embrace the lifestyle that supports it. The core insight here is that the way of Jesus is a holistic lifestyle, encompassing rhythms and routines that shape our daily existence. Comer suggests that our current systems are perfectly designed to produce the results we're getting, and if those results are anxiety and burnout, then a fundamental shift in lifestyle is required. He underscores that the world offers temporary distractions, while Jesus offers equipment—a new way to carry life's weight with ease, side-by-side with Him. This "easy yoke" isn't about escaping burdens but about learning a balanced way of carrying them, developing a rhythm of grace that leads to soul-deep rest. The invitation is not to an easy life, but to an easy yoke, offering a sustainable path forward, walking in step with Jesus, embracing His pace and presence.

In this chapter of *The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry*, John Mark Comer invites us to consider the unhurried life of Jesus as a model for our own. He paints a picture of Jesus, rarely in haste, wholly present even amidst pressing needs, contrasting this with our modern existence, often fragmented by busyness. Comer challenges the assumption that a hurried life is unavoidable, suggesting instead that it’s a matter of priorities and choices. He recounts stories from the Gospels—Jesus delaying his visit to Lazarus, pausing to connect with a woman on the way to Jairus's dying daughter—to illustrate Jesus's intentionality. Comer underscores that Jesus’s rootedness wasn't accidental but the result of a deliberate lifestyle, marked by margin, solitude, and Sabbath. The author introduces the concept of a “rule of life,” drawing parallels to monastic traditions where structured practices fostered a life centered on Jesus's way. This rule, he clarifies, isn't about rigid legalism, but about creating a trellis—a supportive structure—for our lives to help us abide in God's presence, like a vine needing support to thrive and bear fruit. Comer confronts the common excuse of “not having time,” suggesting a reallocation of priorities from trivial pursuits to cultivating a relationship with God. He equates time spent in relationship with Jesus to the bare minimum needed for a healthy marriage. The author argues that neglecting this relational aspect leads to a spiritually withered life. Comer presents a crossroads: either construct a life that facilitates abiding in Jesus, or remain on a path of perpetual hurry, missing the love, joy, and peace that an intentional life with Jesus offers. He frames this not as an obligation, but as an invitation to a life we deeply yearn for, found in step with Jesus.

John Mark Comer, in "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry," explores the lost art of boredom and its profound impact on our spiritual lives, suggesting that the constant digital noise robs us of presence and connection to God. He recalls a time before digital saturation, when moments of boredom were potential portals to prayer and self-awareness, now swallowed by the digital carnivore. Comer introduces the concept of the 'eremos'—the desert, the solitary place—as a source of strength, exemplified by Jesus's post-baptism retreat, a stark contrast to our tendency to fill every silence with digital stimulation. The author explains that Jesus repeatedly sought the eremos, not as a one-time event, but as a continuous practice, a rhythm vital for maintaining clarity and connection to his calling; Comer paints a vivid picture: Jesus, amidst demands and distractions, prioritizing time alone with the Father even over sleep. Comer then dissects the practice of silence and solitude, distinguishing between external and internal silence, the latter being the taming of the wild beast of mental chatter. He contrasts solitude with isolation, highlighting solitude as a means of engagement with God and one's soul, a safe haven rather than a dangerous escape. Comer emphasizes that silence and solitude are not merely beneficial but essential, echoing Henri Nouwen's sentiment that a spiritual life is virtually impossible without them, comparing the relationship with God to a marriage that requires dedicated time. Mother Teresa's simple advice to spend an hour a day adoring the Lord, and to avoid intentional wrongdoing, encapsulates the practice's essence. Comer warns of the consequences of neglecting this practice: a feeling of distance from God and self, succumbing to the tyranny of the urgent, and emotional unhealth, like a mind hoarding toxic thoughts, while painting an alternative of finding a quiet place to decompress, allowing space for feeling and hearing God's voice, ultimately leading to freedom and a homecoming of the soul. He positions mindfulness as a secular echo of this ancient practice, urging a return to the "quiet time" as a means of reclaiming our spiritual center amidst the digital noise, suggesting a commitment to a daily practice, like sitting by a window with coffee, breathing, and listening for the Father’s voice.

John Mark Comer delves into the profound significance of Sabbath, framing it not merely as a religious obligation, but as a vital practice to combat the chronic restlessness endemic in modern society. He begins by exploring the insatiable nature of human desire, a theme echoed by thinkers from Ecclesiastes to Thomas Aquinas, illustrating how our infinite desires clash with our finite existence, leading to a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction, a melody unresolved. Comer argues that our culture, fueled by relentless advertising and social media, exacerbates this restlessness, stoking envy and discontent. He then introduces Sabbath as a powerful antidote, a deliberate stopping, a weekly pause from the relentless cycle of work and want. Sabbath, he explains, isn't just a day off but a way of being, a spirit of restfulness cultivated through intentional discipline. Comer highlights Jesus's own observance of the Sabbath, challenging the legalistic interpretations of the time and emphasizing its intended purpose: to serve humanity. Drawing from Genesis, Comer reminds us that God himself rested, establishing a rhythm of work and rest woven into the fabric of creation. He presents the Sabbath as both a blessing, capable of filling our lives with renewed vitality, and as holy, a designated time to connect with the divine. Comer contrasts the modern obsession with accomplishment and accumulation with the Sabbath's invitation to contentment, a governor on the speed of life. Finally, Comer urges readers to reclaim the Sabbath as an act of resistance against the oppressive forces of materialism and consumerism, a scheduled social justice. It’s about intentionally disengaging from the cycle of endless buying and selling, thereby creating space for rest, connection, and a deeper appreciation for the present moment; a stand against the global wealth pyramid, choosing instead to drink deeply from the well of ordinary life. Comer shares his personal experience, emphasizing the transformative power of Sabbath in fostering connection, peace, and a profound sense of freedom, urging readers to embrace this practice as a path toward a more balanced and meaningful existence, to bake a cookie of contentment, and savor the sweetness of simply being.

John Mark Comer invites us to question our culture's relentless pursuit of more, a siren song promising happiness through wealth and possessions. He begins by laying out Jesus' counter-cultural teachings on money, which often clash with modern values, particularly in the West, where materialism has become a dominant system of meaning, almost a new religion. Comer traces the historical roots of consumerism, revealing how a shift from a needs-based to a desires-based culture was intentionally engineered, turning citizens into consumers, a shift that has accelerated society to a frenetic pace. The author highlights the insidious nature of advertising as propaganda, designed to manipulate our desires and blur the lines between wants and needs. Referencing a landmark study, Comer points out that while money does increase well-being, it plateaus around $75,000, after which more money doesn't necessarily equate to more happiness, and may even bring more problems. He then introduces the ancient Christian practice of simplicity or minimalism, not as a style or poverty, but as an intentional focus on what truly matters, leveraging resources towards God and relationships. Comer challenges the listener to consider the true cost of every purchase, not just in money, but in time and its impact on the world and those who inhabit it. He urges us to cultivate appreciation for creation and simple pleasures, recognizing advertising as propaganda and leading a cheerful revolt against materialism, and suggests starting with a closet, reducing the number of outfits to something manageable. Ultimately, Comer acknowledges that simplicity is not a silver bullet but a costly yet rewarding path to contentment, urging us to consider what Jesus would do if he were in our shoes, living in our time, and facing our unique challenges.

John Mark Comer, in his chapter "Slowing," delves into the counterintuitive idea that slowing down is a spiritual discipline, a radical act against the hyperliving that defines modern existence. He begins by playfully admitting his affinity for rules, contrasting this with the reactive nature he observes in those who resist schedules, positioning them more as passengers than drivers in their own lives. Comer introduces the concept of "gamification" turning personal growth into engaging games with flexible rules designed to decelerate life's relentless pace. He challenges the conventional notion of spiritual disciplines, suggesting the need for new practices tailored to the complexities of the twenty-first century, such as the spiritual discipline of slowing, championed by figures like John Ortberg and Richard Foster. Comer emphasizes the importance of slowing down both the body and the mind, recognizing that humans are not merely "brains on legs" but holistic beings whose apprenticeships to Jesus must encompass both physical and mental realms. He presents twenty practical ideas to slow down, starting with driving habits—adhering to speed limits, embracing the slow lane, making complete stops at stop signs—framing these as opportunities for presence and prayer. Comer tackles smartphone addiction, advocating for turning smartphones into "dumbphones" by removing email, social media, and notifications, thereby reclaiming attention and emotional equilibrium. He suggests setting specific times for email and social media engagement, guarding against their time-consuming allure, and even dares to suggest killing your TV, or at least setting strict limits on entertainment intake, understanding that what we consume shapes who we become. Comer champions single-tasking as a means to be fully present, contrasting it with the animalistic regression of multitasking, and encourages the reader to walk slower, deliberately moving through the world at a relaxed pace. He passionately advocates for regular days of silence and solitude, seeing it as a formative practice for centering oneself, checking ones pulse, and aligning with ones convictions, visualizing it as a tether for the soul amidst the modern hurricane. Comer also suggests journaling, experimenting with mindfulness and meditation to observe life from the outside, and taking long vacations to reach a deep place of soul rest, recognizing that summer vacation can be a profound spiritual discipline. Finally, he underscores the significance of cooking ones own food and eating in, establishing the table as an anchor for family life, fostering connection, and teaching manners as a form of love, painting a vivid scene of shared stories, vocabulary lessons, and laughter around the dinner table. He then concludes by emphasizing the life-giving, even fun, nature of these rules, inviting readers to craft their own lists and embrace a life enjoyed, not hurried, because as he says, life is right under our noses, waiting to be enjoyed.

“The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” is a compelling call to reclaim our lives from the insidious grip of busyness. Comer masterfully unveils hurry as a spiritual malady, severing our connection to God, others, and ourselves. The book highlights that our relentless pursuit of more—more possessions, more experiences, more achievements—leaves us perpetually unfulfilled, trapped in a cycle of anxiety and disconnection. The core message is that true well-being lies not in maximizing our time but in slowing down, embracing limitations, and prioritizing what truly matters: love, joy, peace, and a deep connection with the divine. The wisdom imparted is profoundly practical: adopt a 'rule of life' to structure our days around God, embrace silence and solitude to reconnect with our souls, practice Sabbath to resist the allure of consumerism, and cultivate simplicity to find contentment in the present moment. Ultimately, the book invites us to apprentice ourselves to Jesus, adopting His unhurried lifestyle as a template for our own, transforming our everyday existence into an experience of abiding love, joy, and peace.