These days are you hurried, harried or hopeful? The question popped into my mind as I felt restless during my morning quiet time. Sensing a rising urgency to finish up and move into my day, the question begged reflection.
When we run into our days armed with a bloated agenda and unrestrained expectations, what are we leaving behind, or worse, missing?
Now, added to the uncomfortable feeling of restlessness, uncertainty caused me to reconsider both my direction for and approach to my day.
Knowing my penchant for haste and multi-tasking in the name of productivity; hurried and harried were descriptors I owned on many days. But hopeful? Maybe.
Glancing back at the short devotional I read earlier, something caught my attention. In John 21, Jesus meets the disciples on the beach with breakfast, but verse 4 tells us they did not recognize Him.
Back to the question, hurried, harried or hopeful, I wondered how many times I failed in recognizing Jesus in my days due to being hurried or harried?
Rather than remaining hopeful in following Him through my days, like a petulant child I ran in every direction compelled by my own desires and expectations.
All in the name of productivity, but sacrificing rest, peace and intimacy with Christ in the process. In fact, to me that is the exact definition of harried.
“Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset.”
Saint Francis de Sales
Surely time conscious, on earth for a short three- and one-half years with a monumental mission, Jesus never hurried.
No one had greater demands on their time than Jesus, yet He entirely accomplished all the work the Father gave Him to do (John 17:4) without becoming harried.
Yes, He was God, but He was also every bit as human as we are, He understands schedule complexities, responsibilities and the demands of our lives today.
In fact, He invites us to rest, to a better way of laboring without hurry or harassment from a hopeful perspective with Him.
3 Keys to Hopeful Productivity
If hurried and harried describe the tone of your days, Jesus invites you to slow down and try a new approach. One which allows you to pursue productivity without the high cost of losing your inner peace, or intimacy with Christ.
Instead of the focus of your hope each day resting in the outcome of your accomplishments, shift the focus of your hope to resting in moving through your day with Christ.
- Guidance. Trust your schedule to God’s guidance. Learn to follow, not lead; allow God’s guidance to divinely interrupt your schedule. I remember a dozen times where God altered my day, and in the moment, I bristled, but later saw the perfection of the change. Only God sees the entire picture.
- Goodness. Trust God’s goodness in the events of your day. Whether running smoothly or hitting all the bumps of interruptions and mishaps, trust everything is flowing exactly the way He desires for His absolute best for you.
- Grace. Trust God’s grace is sufficient for your day, without rushing, striving or worrying. Remember He goes first into your day, into every situation. He equips you, accompanies you and enables you for every good work.
Though I still battle restlessness at times as I start my day, choosing a perspective shift of focusing my hope for the day on God’s guidance, goodness and grace instead of a neatly stacked pile of accomplishments, steadies my schedule anxiety.
But the biggest benefit by far remains the sweeter fellowship throughout my day with Jesus, as I experience the freedom and ease of surrender to His perfect way.
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Oh yes, Donna, I remember well those hurried and harried seasons where it seemed impossible to catch a breath. They were so anxiety-producing, physically draining. I’m grateful for the lessons learned, even though they came at a cost. He is a miracle worker and specializes in restoring those seasons the ‘locusts have eaten.’
Linda, I think we have to pass through a few busy seasons to really understand the pitfalls! I only wish “I knew then what I know now!” Praise God for His redemptive ways!
Perfect wisdom for me to find on the first day of summer vacation! Thank you!
Amen, Michele. Isn’t it a marvel the way we can sometimes be busier during summer vacation than the regular year-round?
Donna, your three points are so encouraging and comforting. I’m forever thankful God “goes before us and is with us,” even when the days don’t go as we imagine they should (like my entire week so far–groan). Hugs, friend.
Thank you, Lois, at times it’s hard for me to remember these points, but the simple truth that God goes before me into everything is a huge comfort. Sending hugs your way friend!!
Practicing an “unhurried life” has been my focus this year. Add my word for the year, Relax, and now I’ve got the goal under wraps! Nope! Lol! It’s a constant practice, I think, learning this unhurried way of life where interruptions are just fine, and trusting all gets done in God’s timing. I can struggle with believing I’m behind in my work, or completing my goals and lists. So it is a constant tension, I must say, but choosing “God’s guidance, goodness and grace” is the Way! Well said!
Lynn your thoughts are so relevant, learning a slower, more intentional pace is a journey, one we cannot rush! I love the paradox here. Learning that unhurried life which accepts things as they are, doesn’t bristle at interruptions, and trusts the Lord’s leading over our own, definitely takes practice! But I do know when I choose this way my whole being feels nourished and free.
I have to intentionally remind myself to “go slow.” I don’t like feeling rushed and hurried, so it often requires starting out a bit earlier or making better plans to begin with. 🙂 Thanks for these reminders today, Donna!
Lisa, I think I every day I am playing the words “slow down” in a perpetual loop in my head, I only wish I listened to them! I dislike feeling rushed, yet I inflict it on myself. Oh, my how I loved the words the Lord spoke to me through writing this post!
Donna, you brought out something I never took note of before. Jesus experienced greater demands of His time and yet, He accomplished all the Father had set out for Him to do. Perhaps His secret was indeed the time He set apart from everything to be with His Father. This was most encouraging today! But then, dear friend, your words are always encouraging to me!
Joanne, no doubt the secret for Jesus was and for us is spending time with the Father. Allowing Him to order our days, calm our hearts and direct our steps makes all the difference!