The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Part three: Practices for unhurrying your life
Slowing (1|4)
Pages 219-225
TOGETHER read the book (END READING AT: Let’s bring it back: driving.) then the following scripture slowly and attentively.
INDIVIDUALLY take notes in your journal on what stands out.
Psalm 34:8 (NIV) Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV) Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
Exodus 33:14 (NIV) The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
GROUP DISCUSSION:
Are you a rule follower or a rule breaker by nature? John Mark Comer says: Anti-rule people are often anti-schedule people; and anti-schedule people frequently live in a way that is reactive, not proactive. As more passenger than driver, consumer than creator. Life happens to them, more than through them.
What is your response to this statement?
Are you anti-rule and anti-schedule or do you find comfort in structure? Or do you vacillate between the two?
Share just one or two things that stood out to you while reading the book and/or scripture. (try to keep it brief)
TOGETHER pray for one another.
INDIVIDUALLY answer the questions in your journal - process your notes and pray.
This chapter of the book contains 20 “rules” As John Mark Comer Says, they are not “spiritual disciplines” and there will not be a lot of scripture in the content. That’s okay. It’s okay to get practical sometimes. As you go through them one by one, ask Jesus, is this something I should make a habit or a discipline or is it a good suggestion? Jesus didn’t drive a car (which is related to the first 4 rules we are looking at today) or field text messages, etc.
It might seem silly to invite Jesus to examine these four rules about operating a vehicle in modern-day life with you. However, the fact is, if we are living in the modern day and we have invited Jesus into our hearts then how we behave and operate our lives can be done as an act of worship to his glory (even how we drive). Weird but true. It’s probably pretty common for a teenager to talk with Jesus before driving for the first time, about to take their test for their license, and driving alone for the first time. Maybe it should be more normal for us to pray every time we are about to drive?
1. Drive the speed limit.
2. Get in the slow lane.
3. Come to a full stop at stop signs.
4. Don’t text and drive.
What about people who don’t drive and only take public transit? Well, those people are operating on a higher spiritual level than the rest of us… just kidding. It’s a condition of the heart. These rules can be easily altered for public transportation or any form of commuting. How are you following the way of Jesus when going from point A to point B (especially when life throws an unexpected detour in the route)?
EXTRA READING:
“If we review the various ages of history, we will see that in every generation, the Lord has offered the opportunity of repentance to any who were willing to turn to Him. When Noah preached God’s messages of repentance, all who listened to him were saved. Jonah told the Ninevites they were going to be destroyed, but when they repented, their prayers gained God’s forgiveness for their sins, and they were saved, even though they were not God’s people. We should be suppliant before Him and turn to His compassion, rejecting empty works and quarreling and jealousy, which only lead to death.”
- Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici (1478 - 1534)