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The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World
"Who am I becoming?"
That was the question nagging pastor and author John Mark Comer. Outwardly, he appeared successful. But inwardly, things weren't pretty. So he turned to a trusted mentor for guidance and heard these words:
"Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life."
It wasn't the response he expected, but it was--and continues to be--the answer he needs. Too often we treat the symptoms of toxicity in our modern world instead of trying to pinpoint the cause. A growing number of voices are pointing at hurry, or busyness, as a root of much evil.
Within the pages of this book, you'll find a fascinating roadmap to staying emotionally healthy and spiritually alive in the chaos of the modern world.
That was the question nagging pastor and author John Mark Comer. Outwardly, he appeared successful. But inwardly, things weren't pretty. So he turned to a trusted mentor for guidance and heard these words:
"Ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life. Hurry is the great enemy of the spiritual life."
It wasn't the response he expected, but it was--and continues to be--the answer he needs. Too often we treat the symptoms of toxicity in our modern world instead of trying to pinpoint the cause. A growing number of voices are pointing at hurry, or busyness, as a root of much evil.
Within the pages of this book, you'll find a fascinating roadmap to staying emotionally healthy and spiritually alive in the chaos of the modern world.
286 pages, Hardcover
First published October 29, 2019
About the author
John Mark Comer
32 books2,970 followersI am the director and teacher of Practicing the Way, founding pastor of Bridgetown Church and New York Times bestselling author of Live No Lies. My growing passion is the intersection of spiritual formation and post-Christian culture. The gnawing questions that get me out of bed in the morning are, how do we experience life with God? And how do we change to become more like Jesus? To that end, I can regularly be found reading the desert fathers and mothers, ancient saints and obscure contemplatives, modern psychologists and social scientists, philosophers like Dallas Willard, and op-eds from the New York Times.
When I'm not reading, I can be found around a table with my family and friends, attempting to learn how to cook, drinking Heart coffee, and walking the family dog in the forest. Most important, I am husband to T and father to Jude, Moses, and Sunday.
When I'm not reading, I can be found around a table with my family and friends, attempting to learn how to cook, drinking Heart coffee, and walking the family dog in the forest. Most important, I am husband to T and father to Jude, Moses, and Sunday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,231 reviews
January 12, 2022
I’ve never felt such joy while being so deeply convicted. This book really might change my life and I’m excited to lean into the way of life it presents, the unhurried lifestyle of Jesus Christ. Comer spoke directly to my anxious, restless and often frustrated soul with humor, and honesty, and deep wisdom. This book confronted the realities of my sin and my hurry which prevent me from love, joy, and peace. Yet it also gently and convincingly presented a solution, a solution embedded in Jesus’ own approach to life!
I’ve already started slowing down a bit after reading this book and it’s my goal to keep slowing down more and more so that I can cultivate the love and peace and joy of Christ in my heart.
I would recommend this book to literally anyone, but especially to Jesus-followers. Read this book. It’s abundantly encouraging and helpful.
I’ve already started slowing down a bit after reading this book and it’s my goal to keep slowing down more and more so that I can cultivate the love and peace and joy of Christ in my heart.
I would recommend this book to literally anyone, but especially to Jesus-followers. Read this book. It’s abundantly encouraging and helpful.
May 16, 2021
2 stars. I think that the author’s call to slow down and the importance of the spiritual disciplines of silence and solitude, sabbath, simplicity, and slowing are essential to the abundant life in Christ. However, I really dislike his writing style and often felt annoyed by the little “relatable” things he added in. Also, I felt this book to be unpractical and really not until the last section did he give any helpful steps to begin the practices for which he advocates. This book could easily be reduced to only 100 pages and still pack the same punch.
March 4, 2020
Like moths to a flame, we fly to a fire that will consume us. We each carry a profound sense of lack and loss, and in not feeling like we are enough or that we have enough we rush and reach to fill the void. But all the shiny screens and hustling habits leave us with little room to inhabit the lives we have as good and the God who drew near to us in Jesus as actually here. This book will grieve you in a good way and carry you to the feet of Jesus, where He’ll ask you to take up your mat and walk.
But do you want to walk?
Do you want to set aside what is shiny and sugary and soul-killing so you can savor the Presence of the God who is here?
This book artfully, winsomely, and wisely walks us to the wonder of life in Christ and the joy that can be ours when we keep company with Jesus by living in the unhurried rhythms of grace.
Bonus points in my book as a writer: genius short paragraph style for maintaining attention and kindly walking us where we are so apt to resist going.
But do you want to walk?
Do you want to set aside what is shiny and sugary and soul-killing so you can savor the Presence of the God who is here?
This book artfully, winsomely, and wisely walks us to the wonder of life in Christ and the joy that can be ours when we keep company with Jesus by living in the unhurried rhythms of grace.
Bonus points in my book as a writer: genius short paragraph style for maintaining attention and kindly walking us where we are so apt to resist going.
September 5, 2021
Most life changing book ever
February 1, 2022
The first self help book I've ever read! Such a great read on really being intentional about slowing down and incorporating rest and relaxation into our lives. A much needed and very refreshing read!
October 14, 2020
My son gifted me this as an audiobook because of some great conversations we had. He just sold his fancy new car and bought a “dumb” phone. I did not love the audio voice and I didn’t even agree with all the ways the author viewed the world, but and it’s a big one, I think this is a conversation we need to be having and I appreciate Comers willingness to say hard things. Still I will not be able to take a month off every summer but a day every week....absolutely vital. I highly recommend this conversation!
May 5, 2020
The ruthless elimination of hurry is nothing other than A book that would look nice on a coffee table or on your latest Instagram post.
The author and book seemed to have a lot of hype around it, and was curious to read it. However it didn’t meet my expectations. While there where a few key concepts I enjoyed they where easily lost in Unnecessary metaphors and jokes that seemed to go on for pages at a time. The points that where made seemed over-explained and drawn out (however not in-depth or helpful).
At first it read like a well researched book with multiple references to theologians, pastors, saints ect. However, after a while it felt as though the author lacks authenticity, original thought and at times felt immature. The message was overall messy, Disengaging and in some areas off point.
With all this in mind and the $40.00 cost of the hardcover book with size 15 font and double spacing, could be best describe as a cash grab by a insta famous “pastor”.
There are more helpful and insightful books on this subject. One of which he mentions in his book which is “the celebration of discipline” another notable resource would be “the practice of the presence of God” and “created for community”
(Bookclubbook)
The author and book seemed to have a lot of hype around it, and was curious to read it. However it didn’t meet my expectations. While there where a few key concepts I enjoyed they where easily lost in Unnecessary metaphors and jokes that seemed to go on for pages at a time. The points that where made seemed over-explained and drawn out (however not in-depth or helpful).
At first it read like a well researched book with multiple references to theologians, pastors, saints ect. However, after a while it felt as though the author lacks authenticity, original thought and at times felt immature. The message was overall messy, Disengaging and in some areas off point.
With all this in mind and the $40.00 cost of the hardcover book with size 15 font and double spacing, could be best describe as a cash grab by a insta famous “pastor”.
There are more helpful and insightful books on this subject. One of which he mentions in his book which is “the celebration of discipline” another notable resource would be “the practice of the presence of God” and “created for community”
(Bookclubbook)
March 2, 2021
Soooo big caveat I should have read the synopsis/done more research before just diving into this book. I definitely didn’t realize there would be such a heavy religious perspective. That being said, I didn’t want not being Christian to stop me from giving the book a chance, especially because the topic was intriguing. But it did end up meaning that a lot of the book I just didn’t relate to. Again, not a fault of the book, that one is on me.
The ideas themselves I liked and will be trying but I wish the author gave more concrete examples on how to execute. There’s actually an online workbook that’s linked at the end of the book that I thought was soo helpful, I wish he just included that in the book itself, don’t know why he didn’t. Because without that most of the book was one of two things: 1) How we got to having such rushed lives and why it is bad for us (which I think the person reading is generally aware of hence why they are reading the book?) and 2) why each of his four ideas are important/help (with heavy emphasis here on sourcing the Bible and Jesus).
Finally, a minor note but a few times he seemed to put down other religions to elevate Christianity/Jesus? I noticed it particularly with Buddhism and it just didn’t sit well with me nor was it necessary in my opinion.
The ideas themselves I liked and will be trying but I wish the author gave more concrete examples on how to execute. There’s actually an online workbook that’s linked at the end of the book that I thought was soo helpful, I wish he just included that in the book itself, don’t know why he didn’t. Because without that most of the book was one of two things: 1) How we got to having such rushed lives and why it is bad for us (which I think the person reading is generally aware of hence why they are reading the book?) and 2) why each of his four ideas are important/help (with heavy emphasis here on sourcing the Bible and Jesus).
Finally, a minor note but a few times he seemed to put down other religions to elevate Christianity/Jesus? I noticed it particularly with Buddhism and it just didn’t sit well with me nor was it necessary in my opinion.
July 3, 2023
All in all, Comer does a really good job diagnosing the problem with our culture - mainly, the fact that Americans are obsessed with "hurry," and it's a real problem. However, I think that this book doesn't really identify the larger problem of our world and our own hearts: the corrupting presence of sin that will remain no matter how simple or unhurried we make our life. Thus, it doesn't seem to offer the correct antidote to the larger problem and the glorious redemption that is awaiting those who live by faith in Jesus Christ. Though our cultural moment may be in need of more hurry-contrarians, our culture needs Christ all the more.
--edit (since this is getting a lot of attention) --
I really do like a lot of what Comer calls people to in his book. I just think that it reads far more like a cultural polemic than a guide to Christian spirituality, which is how so many Christians view it. I appreciate that Comer ends with an invitation to take up Jesus' easy yoke. I just think that the connection of "hurry-sickness" to sinfulness is an important one to make, and I found that lacking. Nonetheless, Comer presents a number of practices that will help many Christians live counter-cultural lives which are all wise to consider.
--edit (since this is getting a lot of attention) --
I really do like a lot of what Comer calls people to in his book. I just think that it reads far more like a cultural polemic than a guide to Christian spirituality, which is how so many Christians view it. I appreciate that Comer ends with an invitation to take up Jesus' easy yoke. I just think that the connection of "hurry-sickness" to sinfulness is an important one to make, and I found that lacking. Nonetheless, Comer presents a number of practices that will help many Christians live counter-cultural lives which are all wise to consider.
January 11, 2020
I have loved John Mark Comer's books and teachings for a few years now. He has beautifully mastered the art of using his own unique voice when writing, making deep or hard topics seem easy to read. This book is no exception and, honestly, may be one of his best works. I felt convicted yet encouraged, exposed yet freed.
We live in a world that highly values productivity and hurry, celebrating the people who can "do it all". The church, sadly, often shares this same value. Yet this way of living has left nearly all of us, myself included, feeling empty, burned out, and weary. In this book, John Mark weaves teaching and insight with his own story of the struggle between the desire to prove his worth/do it all and the desire to actually enjoy his life, his ministry, his family, and, mostly, being a disciple Jesus.
This book has showed me a better way, and it's been like a breath of fresh air to my soul. There are definitely sections that felt heavy because they hit so close, exposing parts of me that I've hid for a long time behind the mask of busy-ness. Yet every thread he pulled unraveled things in me, giving me words for things I didn't quite understand yet and methods to finding rest and slow again. I honestly believe that every person needs to read this book to find a new way!
We live in a world that highly values productivity and hurry, celebrating the people who can "do it all". The church, sadly, often shares this same value. Yet this way of living has left nearly all of us, myself included, feeling empty, burned out, and weary. In this book, John Mark weaves teaching and insight with his own story of the struggle between the desire to prove his worth/do it all and the desire to actually enjoy his life, his ministry, his family, and, mostly, being a disciple Jesus.
This book has showed me a better way, and it's been like a breath of fresh air to my soul. There are definitely sections that felt heavy because they hit so close, exposing parts of me that I've hid for a long time behind the mask of busy-ness. Yet every thread he pulled unraveled things in me, giving me words for things I didn't quite understand yet and methods to finding rest and slow again. I honestly believe that every person needs to read this book to find a new way!
October 22, 2023
I was content to just rate the book. But y’all asked. So,
You can come at the issues of this book by considering the pictures of sabbath/rest/unhurriedness Comer offers and imagining who could attain these. There’s the initial one of living in the city and being able to walk his dog to work (idk how anyone with a dog is unhurried but I’ll leave that). There’s taking a month vacation in the summer with a stack of books while his kids play in front of him (any parent knows that this is either helplessly out of touch or John Mark is being conveniently silent on where Mrs. Comer is in this scenario so that he can relax in the easy chair). There’s cooking long, slow meals at home (I, never mind). One could, and Comer does, go on.
Surely if sabbath is a real thing, it is available to everyone. Right? And yet, what of those pictures could a single moms with two (maybe three) jobs know? Can parents of young children experience this kind of sabbath when the definition of “small children” in the original Latin is “being hurried as you’ve never hurried before”? What about the pastors back at the other campus Comer left to go to the downtown, walkable one precisely because he couldn’t be at rest back there? Stinks to be them! What of the Apostle Paul? It’s hard to imagine his life fitting into this framework. Can we say his life was not hurried or busy or full to the brim? Can we really imagine he wasn’t absolutely exhausted in every way possible (actually, don’t imagine, just look up the Greek of “spent” in 2 Corinthians 12:15; he tells us he was)? If he was, must we assume he wasn’t rested? It would seem so according to Comer’s understanding.
My first issue is that idea of sabbath Comer presents is attainable by an incredibly small and specific demographic and seemingly no more. And that sentence includes my ultimate problem with the book and why it can’t get more than one star. Comer’s idea of sabbath is just that, an *idea* to be realized, a *thing* to attain, an *experience* to have.
It’s not that I think this book is weak theologically or silly practically. Although I think it is both at parts. It’s that I believe this book is dangerous. The people I know who have taken its word the most to heart, are the least restful, stretched thin people I know. Genuinely. They have set boundaries and blocked out time for sabbath, but they aren’t rested. In fact they are much less so than people I know who don’t have either of those things! They are either burnt out or seem to camp on the precipice of it. And I believe it is a direct result of this book. Why?
Because what Comer offers in this book is a carrot stick that can never be caught. As it is presented here, sabbath is a vibe, an ethereal idea, a millennial aesthetic. It’s a house that is always on the next hill over but is never arrived at. Sabbath/rest is something to, funnily enough, pursue, chase down, catch. (That’s why you must *ruthlessly* eliminate hurry. The title itself, too clever by half, tells you it doesn’t offer what it claims to.) Sabbath for Comer, and his disciples, is something over there out our grasp and must be strived for. And this understanding of sabbath is toxic.
Because, if that’s what it truly is, we must strive for sabbath. And this striving only produces discontentment because whatever that picture of sabbath is in our heads, it necessarily includes little stress, little physical tax, and no exhaustion in any sphere whatsoever. Good vibes only, please. However else you may want to nuance it, if you ask yourself “how do I have what he’s having?”, the answer is necessarily that sabbath is something we must strive for. It’s an idea (read, “fantasy”) to be actualized. You don’t have it, it’s somewheres out there though, and if you just keep on searching, one day it’ll be yours. One day. And until it does, until your living situation allows for it, sabbath is impossible.
But the rub is that Christians know, or ought to anyway, that true Sabbath is none of these *things.* Sabbath is not something to achieve or gain or finally arrive at. Sabbath is not a vibe or an experience. It isn’t healthy work-life balance. It isn’t even a feeling at all.
Sabbath is not an ideal to attain. Sabbath is a Person to know. The Lord of the Sabbath himself and knowing him is sabbath–not “sabbath” itself. Period. And because that’s the case, “sabbath” is available to any and all regardless. Absolutely counter to Comer’s presentation, Sabbath has chased us down. He’s available whatever our commute to work or gaggle of children is like. He and his rest is available to you whether you are hurried or in total zen. He and his rest are there when the kids are a mess and when they finally move out. He and his rest can be had in utter depletion like Paul or, yes, JM, while sitting with a stack of books. Because sabbath isn’t a thing, He’s a person. You need not do anything but sit with him.
You can come at the issues of this book by considering the pictures of sabbath/rest/unhurriedness Comer offers and imagining who could attain these. There’s the initial one of living in the city and being able to walk his dog to work (idk how anyone with a dog is unhurried but I’ll leave that). There’s taking a month vacation in the summer with a stack of books while his kids play in front of him (any parent knows that this is either helplessly out of touch or John Mark is being conveniently silent on where Mrs. Comer is in this scenario so that he can relax in the easy chair). There’s cooking long, slow meals at home (I, never mind). One could, and Comer does, go on.
Surely if sabbath is a real thing, it is available to everyone. Right? And yet, what of those pictures could a single moms with two (maybe three) jobs know? Can parents of young children experience this kind of sabbath when the definition of “small children” in the original Latin is “being hurried as you’ve never hurried before”? What about the pastors back at the other campus Comer left to go to the downtown, walkable one precisely because he couldn’t be at rest back there? Stinks to be them! What of the Apostle Paul? It’s hard to imagine his life fitting into this framework. Can we say his life was not hurried or busy or full to the brim? Can we really imagine he wasn’t absolutely exhausted in every way possible (actually, don’t imagine, just look up the Greek of “spent” in 2 Corinthians 12:15; he tells us he was)? If he was, must we assume he wasn’t rested? It would seem so according to Comer’s understanding.
My first issue is that idea of sabbath Comer presents is attainable by an incredibly small and specific demographic and seemingly no more. And that sentence includes my ultimate problem with the book and why it can’t get more than one star. Comer’s idea of sabbath is just that, an *idea* to be realized, a *thing* to attain, an *experience* to have.
It’s not that I think this book is weak theologically or silly practically. Although I think it is both at parts. It’s that I believe this book is dangerous. The people I know who have taken its word the most to heart, are the least restful, stretched thin people I know. Genuinely. They have set boundaries and blocked out time for sabbath, but they aren’t rested. In fact they are much less so than people I know who don’t have either of those things! They are either burnt out or seem to camp on the precipice of it. And I believe it is a direct result of this book. Why?
Because what Comer offers in this book is a carrot stick that can never be caught. As it is presented here, sabbath is a vibe, an ethereal idea, a millennial aesthetic. It’s a house that is always on the next hill over but is never arrived at. Sabbath/rest is something to, funnily enough, pursue, chase down, catch. (That’s why you must *ruthlessly* eliminate hurry. The title itself, too clever by half, tells you it doesn’t offer what it claims to.) Sabbath for Comer, and his disciples, is something over there out our grasp and must be strived for. And this understanding of sabbath is toxic.
Because, if that’s what it truly is, we must strive for sabbath. And this striving only produces discontentment because whatever that picture of sabbath is in our heads, it necessarily includes little stress, little physical tax, and no exhaustion in any sphere whatsoever. Good vibes only, please. However else you may want to nuance it, if you ask yourself “how do I have what he’s having?”, the answer is necessarily that sabbath is something we must strive for. It’s an idea (read, “fantasy”) to be actualized. You don’t have it, it’s somewheres out there though, and if you just keep on searching, one day it’ll be yours. One day. And until it does, until your living situation allows for it, sabbath is impossible.
But the rub is that Christians know, or ought to anyway, that true Sabbath is none of these *things.* Sabbath is not something to achieve or gain or finally arrive at. Sabbath is not a vibe or an experience. It isn’t healthy work-life balance. It isn’t even a feeling at all.
Sabbath is not an ideal to attain. Sabbath is a Person to know. The Lord of the Sabbath himself and knowing him is sabbath–not “sabbath” itself. Period. And because that’s the case, “sabbath” is available to any and all regardless. Absolutely counter to Comer’s presentation, Sabbath has chased us down. He’s available whatever our commute to work or gaggle of children is like. He and his rest is available to you whether you are hurried or in total zen. He and his rest are there when the kids are a mess and when they finally move out. He and his rest can be had in utter depletion like Paul or, yes, JM, while sitting with a stack of books. Because sabbath isn’t a thing, He’s a person. You need not do anything but sit with him.
March 11, 2020
If you can get over the occasional youth pastor vibes (unnatural references to biggie smalls followed with lines like “yes, I just quoted biggie smalls”) and the fact he writes as he would speak (sentence fragments/periods meant to signify where you’d pause if you were reading aloud) THE CONTENT IS SO GOOD AND, for me, LIFE-CHANGING.
May 26, 2022
4.5/5 stars.
This was incredible. A wonderful, quick (ironically), reset to find peace and comfort in Christ, not in money or time or productivity or possessions. It could not have been more timely. Comar included many statistics and research on how much time we spend on our phones or watching tv or just simply wasting time, and as a result, I felt a rush of guilt. I felt the pressure to be productive and guilt for having binge-watched YouTube and tv shows, but then after all of those statistics, Comar paused and quoted Matthew 11, and I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and release from the guilt I was just feeling. This book truly reminded me to put away the sins of the flesh and find comfort, rest, and satisfaction in Christ. There were also some practical tips and tricks to develop better habits and get rid of bad ones, this reminded me a bit of atomic habits, and it was really helpful as well. I will most likely read this again, and look into the author more. The audiobook was excellent and I would highly recommend.
This was incredible. A wonderful, quick (ironically), reset to find peace and comfort in Christ, not in money or time or productivity or possessions. It could not have been more timely. Comar included many statistics and research on how much time we spend on our phones or watching tv or just simply wasting time, and as a result, I felt a rush of guilt. I felt the pressure to be productive and guilt for having binge-watched YouTube and tv shows, but then after all of those statistics, Comar paused and quoted Matthew 11, and I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and release from the guilt I was just feeling. This book truly reminded me to put away the sins of the flesh and find comfort, rest, and satisfaction in Christ. There were also some practical tips and tricks to develop better habits and get rid of bad ones, this reminded me a bit of atomic habits, and it was really helpful as well. I will most likely read this again, and look into the author more. The audiobook was excellent and I would highly recommend.
May 28, 2023
Life changing; one I’ll be reading year after year! Thank you John Mark Comer for feeding into my soul.
May 28, 2023
This book literally changed my life, my mind, my SOUL!? This book brought me closer to Jesus and helped me find realistic ways to live a more holy life. I loved every page of this.
July 18, 2021
The amount of times someone has said, “I’m reading this book and it reminds me of you” or “I swear this book was written for you” is pretty humbling and very convicting.
I have never been someone to slow down. I over commit, over plan, over spend and it all ends up overwhelming me. A few years ago someone told me that this comes from the sin of wanting to be like God - wanting to be limitless. This message was reinforced in this book.
This summer I have been trying to press into slowing down. I spent college always moving and for my final year I want to challenge myself in embracing margin. I have been reading Ezekiel this summer and in chapter 20, God tells Ezekiel to show the Israelites their sin and one of the ones that is mentioned over and over again was “profaning the sabbath.” God cares about the sabbath. It mattered to Him then and it matters to Him now. I love how this book reminds readers that Sabbath is for rest and for worship.
Embracing our limits and inviting discipline (budgeting, limiting TV watching, limiting social events) into our lives will bring us closer to God. Following Jesus means emulating every part of his life - the slow and unhurried pace included.
Some quotes that I loved:
“Hurry kills relationships. Love takes time; hurry doesn’t have it. It kills joy, gratitude, appreciation; people in a rush don’t have time to enter the goodness of the moment” (52).
“Corrie Ten Boom once said that if the devil can’t me you sin, he’ll make you busy. There’s truth inn 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” (20).
This is a five star book, I don’t say that lightly!!! EVERYONE. NEEDS. TO. READ. THIS.
I have never been someone to slow down. I over commit, over plan, over spend and it all ends up overwhelming me. A few years ago someone told me that this comes from the sin of wanting to be like God - wanting to be limitless. This message was reinforced in this book.
This summer I have been trying to press into slowing down. I spent college always moving and for my final year I want to challenge myself in embracing margin. I have been reading Ezekiel this summer and in chapter 20, God tells Ezekiel to show the Israelites their sin and one of the ones that is mentioned over and over again was “profaning the sabbath.” God cares about the sabbath. It mattered to Him then and it matters to Him now. I love how this book reminds readers that Sabbath is for rest and for worship.
Embracing our limits and inviting discipline (budgeting, limiting TV watching, limiting social events) into our lives will bring us closer to God. Following Jesus means emulating every part of his life - the slow and unhurried pace included.
Some quotes that I loved:
“Hurry kills relationships. Love takes time; hurry doesn’t have it. It kills joy, gratitude, appreciation; people in a rush don’t have time to enter the goodness of the moment” (52).
“Corrie Ten Boom once said that if the devil can’t me you sin, he’ll make you busy. There’s truth inn 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” (20).
This is a five star book, I don’t say that lightly!!! EVERYONE. NEEDS. TO. READ. THIS.
January 19, 2023
There is a lot of wisdom and practical advice in here to glean.
The irony of this book though, is there was enough fluff in it that I was inclined to skim a good amount - which felt an awful lot like hurrying through a book about not hurrying.
Many of his profound points were actually quotes from other authors that he just tied together, which made me want to read works from these other authors more than his work.
But still, it served as a relatively quick/easy compilation to consume on this very important, relevant topic.
I was surprised that in his section on “Spiritual Disciples,” he includes topics like “simplicity” and “sabbath” - and although he sets himself up so well with the “s” theme - he doesn’t include Scripture as a spiritual discipline?? It’s touched on here or there in the other categories but not given it’s own point.
I wouldn’t pick up this book primarily to use as a spiritual guide, as I don’t entirely agree with the author’s approach to some aspects of spirituality. But it was nice to get a spiritual perspective on what I’m also reading in Digital Minimalism (from a non-religious perspective, although at times Newport is more informative and makes stronger arguments from a logical perspective.)
Still, Comer offers plenty of nuggets to chew on and practical takeaways to consider, granted some skimming and discernment might benefit the process.
The irony of this book though, is there was enough fluff in it that I was inclined to skim a good amount - which felt an awful lot like hurrying through a book about not hurrying.
Many of his profound points were actually quotes from other authors that he just tied together, which made me want to read works from these other authors more than his work.
But still, it served as a relatively quick/easy compilation to consume on this very important, relevant topic.
I was surprised that in his section on “Spiritual Disciples,” he includes topics like “simplicity” and “sabbath” - and although he sets himself up so well with the “s” theme - he doesn’t include Scripture as a spiritual discipline?? It’s touched on here or there in the other categories but not given it’s own point.
I wouldn’t pick up this book primarily to use as a spiritual guide, as I don’t entirely agree with the author’s approach to some aspects of spirituality. But it was nice to get a spiritual perspective on what I’m also reading in Digital Minimalism (from a non-religious perspective, although at times Newport is more informative and makes stronger arguments from a logical perspective.)
Still, Comer offers plenty of nuggets to chew on and practical takeaways to consider, granted some skimming and discernment might benefit the process.
January 23, 2024
4.5 stars. Life changing content. Everyone should read it. Just docked half a star for the supperrrrr casual writing style. But still so so so good.
Reread Update: 1/22/24
It's 5 stars. Casual writing and all. It's too life changing to give it anything less.
Reread Update: 1/22/24
It's 5 stars. Casual writing and all. It's too life changing to give it anything less.
August 25, 2022
A helpful and important read. The steps JMC outlines are essential, and I want to do a better job at practicing them. Huge respect for the way he has rejected the pressures of public life for a better way, one that we should all take: slowing down, simplifying, and Sabbathing. The older I get, the more I understand that these make a life well lived.
For a popular audience, it does a good job. But I felt it lacked some substance and depth. And I’m wary of endorsing authors who rely 90% for the meat of their argument on quoting other writers. I’m not convinced it isn’t extractive. I get that everyone borrows intellectually, but it feels dishonest to write a book in which you let everyone else do the heavy lifting, and then get the royalties for it.
But ultimately I’m glad this was written. He’s an expert at accessibility, and creating open paths for onboarding into the difficult (but rewarding) work of cultivating a rich inner life is needed more than ever. And we are never too complete to not need reminders of the good and true and beautiful around us.
For a popular audience, it does a good job. But I felt it lacked some substance and depth. And I’m wary of endorsing authors who rely 90% for the meat of their argument on quoting other writers. I’m not convinced it isn’t extractive. I get that everyone borrows intellectually, but it feels dishonest to write a book in which you let everyone else do the heavy lifting, and then get the royalties for it.
But ultimately I’m glad this was written. He’s an expert at accessibility, and creating open paths for onboarding into the difficult (but rewarding) work of cultivating a rich inner life is needed more than ever. And we are never too complete to not need reminders of the good and true and beautiful around us.
November 15, 2020
This book basically uses the bible and the life of Jesus to give examples of how to be mindful and why it's extremely important to be mindful in the chaos that we are currently living in.
The general idea of the book is nice, however, I found some of the examples of how to be mindful kind of unrealistic and hard to actually do.
Jan, 28, 2020.
The general idea of the book is nice, however, I found some of the examples of how to be mindful kind of unrealistic and hard to actually do.
Jan, 28, 2020.
December 28, 2022
Ok wow! Definitely convicted of the way I currently live life & so many practical ways I can change my unhealthy habits. For sure not taking his advice about having only 2 grey shirts….but will be taking many other practices. Loved the chapter on Sabbath & solitude/silence.
Already deleted social media off my phone!
Already deleted social media off my phone!
August 8, 2021
You ever love what someone has to say but absolutely hate the WAY they say it? That's John Mark Comer for me. A friend introduced me to him last year (thanks Emily!) and he's definitely a unique teaching voice but everything he says is so laced with an aura of "I'm not like a regular pastor, I'm a cool pastor" it makes me roll my eyes to the point of needing prayer to heal my ocular nerve. He's like an orthodox Rob Bell in that way, and if that's your jam then go for it - but to me it reads like a Portlandia parody of a pastor; kombucha, Myers Briggs references, coffee snobbery, plant based diets, being a former member of an indie rock band... I mean come on my guy.
Anyways, now that I got that rant out of my system, this is a really good book and I appreciate the approachability and the balance of theology and practical application. Pretty much everyone I know would do well to read this book and put it into practice - I'm going to have to re-read it with an eye towards my own proclivities for hurry before too long. I just can't give it five stars because his writing/teaching style grates on me too hard but hurry (in all its forms) is a really meaningful subject that almost never receives the level of attention it deserves in the church.
Anyways, now that I got that rant out of my system, this is a really good book and I appreciate the approachability and the balance of theology and practical application. Pretty much everyone I know would do well to read this book and put it into practice - I'm going to have to re-read it with an eye towards my own proclivities for hurry before too long. I just can't give it five stars because his writing/teaching style grates on me too hard but hurry (in all its forms) is a really meaningful subject that almost never receives the level of attention it deserves in the church.
May 18, 2022
A refreshing read/listen. Comer has a way of stretching one's comfort zone without making statements that are profound; they are simple invitations to slow the pace of life. I frequently felt called out as I progressed through the book, but John Mark's relatable and friendly tone revealed to me that a life of hurry is a common struggle. Similar to Garden City, he throws out interesting and memorable facts/statements that help reiterate how overwhelming our modern lifestyle has become. I thoroughly enjoyed one of the later chapters where Comer presents a tangible call to action in the form of a list. It gave me an urge to immediately change the way I live. This is a book I will definitely be reading again very soon.
June 11, 2021
I think this is a great topic to read about: Hurry and how it is destructive. But, John brought up politics on page 20 and there was no place for that. Way to lose some of your readers so early on. I wish I would not have spent the money on this book. With there being many books about this topic, actively trying to offend some of your readers early on in the book is quite sad.
February 7, 2022
Short little book full of really helpful practical ideas to simplify and slow down. Minimalism, sabbath rest, and getting off screens are all addressed. He’s very clear that it’s not to add more rules (although he adores rules) but ideas to help live a more full life enjoying God and His world and people more fully.
October 24, 2023
This has been a fun time. I really enjoyed this book. It was much needed. I have a few things to chat about if you want to stick around.
I really appreciate at the end him talking about Bro Lawerence bc we all know he’s my favorite. This book was like how to practice the presence of God (bro lawernce’s deal) but in the 21st century. Today I started putting in place some of this new practices of slowing and I have already felt more connected with God multiple times throughout the day. I tried walking slowly and 4 people passed me and Jesus just hanging out looking at the grass as I strolled to class. It was delightful and a nice change of pace :)
I do wish he had helped me a little in the middle. I had a quam bc he talks about external noise and internal noise (ch. on silence and solitude). My issue is that he said the inner noise is quite difficult to silence but we must silence the inner noise and then he just moves on. Nothing about how to do that. I am finding that his practice later on in the slowing chapter and aiding in this process. But i wish he had told me that in the earlier chapters.
I have been practicing many of the things JMC suggests in this book, but often I don’t feel like I am doing them well. I think slowing down everywhere in my life will help me do them better. Sabbath is really hard if you are going all the time and the suddenly stop: of course you are gonna feel like you crashed and burned. But this book also made me want to read more on how to do the sabbath well and how to sit in silence well because I have been experimenting alot and would like some more wisdom.
Also quite random, but I appreciate his sensitivity to what we consume through movies and tv shows. I have felt pretty alone in my views on the nature of media consumption, but I felt very known and justified in my opinions which were now put to words.
I like his view of Jesus as a teacher. The emphasis he put on this point helped me shift my framework slightly in a very helpful way and one that will come in handy in discipleship.
I really appreciate at the end him talking about Bro Lawerence bc we all know he’s my favorite. This book was like how to practice the presence of God (bro lawernce’s deal) but in the 21st century. Today I started putting in place some of this new practices of slowing and I have already felt more connected with God multiple times throughout the day. I tried walking slowly and 4 people passed me and Jesus just hanging out looking at the grass as I strolled to class. It was delightful and a nice change of pace :)
I do wish he had helped me a little in the middle. I had a quam bc he talks about external noise and internal noise (ch. on silence and solitude). My issue is that he said the inner noise is quite difficult to silence but we must silence the inner noise and then he just moves on. Nothing about how to do that. I am finding that his practice later on in the slowing chapter and aiding in this process. But i wish he had told me that in the earlier chapters.
I have been practicing many of the things JMC suggests in this book, but often I don’t feel like I am doing them well. I think slowing down everywhere in my life will help me do them better. Sabbath is really hard if you are going all the time and the suddenly stop: of course you are gonna feel like you crashed and burned. But this book also made me want to read more on how to do the sabbath well and how to sit in silence well because I have been experimenting alot and would like some more wisdom.
Also quite random, but I appreciate his sensitivity to what we consume through movies and tv shows. I have felt pretty alone in my views on the nature of media consumption, but I felt very known and justified in my opinions which were now put to words.
I like his view of Jesus as a teacher. The emphasis he put on this point helped me shift my framework slightly in a very helpful way and one that will come in handy in discipleship.
August 27, 2022
I put off reading this for a long time but am so glad I finally did it! Enjoy my really long review:
This book is super readable and I appreciated the structure of how it’s organized. JMC centers his book around the idea that Christians are called to be “apprentices” of Jesus, imitating his lifestyle not just obeying his explicit commands. He does a wonderful job revealing how an unhurried life of simplicity leads to abundance. I love and have been mulling over the CS Lewis quote he included near the end, which says, “the present is the point at which time touches eternity.” He also convinced me to try driving the speed limit 🙃
Here’s my caveat: Some of the the examples he gives for how he incorporates these practices into his life make me roll my eyes to the back of my head (I always hate it when men make a point to be like “the way I practice simplicity/minimalism is having one pair of pants!”) I also don’t appreciate or agree with how he advises Christian’s to completely disassociate from media/ entertainment culture (the part where he talked about throwing out his TV). He makes sure to state that the examples he gives are not meant to be prescriptive or legalistic which I appreciate, but I often wished he incorporated more examples with people who don’t have the unique privileges that serving in a lead position at an incredibly supportive church lends. I recommend taking the biblical arguments and spiritual practices to heart while taking his personal examples with a grain of salt!
If you don’t feel like reading this or read it and loved it, I highly recommend listening to JMC’s simplicity series. It’s on the Bridgetown Church podcast! If you just listen to one listen to simplicity of heart ❤️
This book is super readable and I appreciated the structure of how it’s organized. JMC centers his book around the idea that Christians are called to be “apprentices” of Jesus, imitating his lifestyle not just obeying his explicit commands. He does a wonderful job revealing how an unhurried life of simplicity leads to abundance. I love and have been mulling over the CS Lewis quote he included near the end, which says, “the present is the point at which time touches eternity.” He also convinced me to try driving the speed limit 🙃
Here’s my caveat: Some of the the examples he gives for how he incorporates these practices into his life make me roll my eyes to the back of my head (I always hate it when men make a point to be like “the way I practice simplicity/minimalism is having one pair of pants!”) I also don’t appreciate or agree with how he advises Christian’s to completely disassociate from media/ entertainment culture (the part where he talked about throwing out his TV). He makes sure to state that the examples he gives are not meant to be prescriptive or legalistic which I appreciate, but I often wished he incorporated more examples with people who don’t have the unique privileges that serving in a lead position at an incredibly supportive church lends. I recommend taking the biblical arguments and spiritual practices to heart while taking his personal examples with a grain of salt!
If you don’t feel like reading this or read it and loved it, I highly recommend listening to JMC’s simplicity series. It’s on the Bridgetown Church podcast! If you just listen to one listen to simplicity of heart ❤️
January 14, 2024
WARNING: Do not read this book if you are not interested in changing your daily habits and feeling deeply convicted.
This book was absolutely amazing. John Mark Comer does an incredible job of describing the problem (hurry) and then providing practical ways to ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your own life. He does this through providing Biblically-based suggestions without being overly legalistic, and also simply pointing out the benefits of altering the way you live. The practices he walks through in this book will certainly speak to the heart of anyone living in today's world and gently point you towards God. I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed this book, it is easily the best "Christian Living" book I have ever encountered. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone and would be happy to lend my copy to anyone interested!
This book was absolutely amazing. John Mark Comer does an incredible job of describing the problem (hurry) and then providing practical ways to ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your own life. He does this through providing Biblically-based suggestions without being overly legalistic, and also simply pointing out the benefits of altering the way you live. The practices he walks through in this book will certainly speak to the heart of anyone living in today's world and gently point you towards God. I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed this book, it is easily the best "Christian Living" book I have ever encountered. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone and would be happy to lend my copy to anyone interested!
May 24, 2020
My boss actually bought me this book and told me to read it. I'm so glad that I did. As someone who chronically overestimates his capacity and whose mind is always active, I really needed to read this plea to eliminate hurry. Comer's book is a quick and easy read, but it's packed full of great stories, quotes, Scripture references, and jokes. I appreciated his call and vision to lead a life that is 1) slower 2) characterized by internal/external silence 3) Sabbath 4) simplicity. While he beautifully explains all these concepts and makes a case for why they are important, he clearly states that these practices should only be a means to an end: they should cultivate more time and space to connect with the Lord and find rest in Him. I would highly recommend this book, and I believe its best read over one day. His generous spacing between short paragraphs makes this feat possible.
January 29, 2023
4 star content written in a 2.5 star kind of way. His writing style was not my favorite. 5 stars for the mentor book club discussion, though.
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