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From Hurry to Holiness: Living Unhurried in a Rushed World

From Hurry to Holiness: Living Unhurried in a Rushed World

Last updated on: February 6, 2025 at 7:27 pm by Jeff McLain

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From Hurry to Holiness: Living Unhurried in a Rushed World 2025-02-06T19:27:20-05:00 Jeff McLain

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Photo by Jannis Lucas on Unsplash. From Hurry to Holiness: Living Unhurried in a Rushed World

On my drive home from a visit to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., I hit the kind of terrible traffic that the area surrounding the District is notorious for. The trip down had been smooth and fast, so when the gridlock set in on the way home, frustration crept in, too. I should know better. I lived in the area some years ago, but seemingly I never got used to it. In that frustrating moment, I found myself gridlocked too, disconnecting from the present, caught up in annoyance instead of being mindful of the moment. I am at that age now where when I am stuck in traffic, I don’t want the kids making a bunch of noise, nor the radio on, and I want to try and stay calm physically, mentally, spiritually, and so on. In reflecting on the frustration that I felt in that moment, I was also reminded that the beauty of any experience — whether a quiet drive or meaningful conversation — is found when we’re unhurried, fully present, and open to connection. I missed it at that moment, but I believe that we, as followers of Jesus are called to see every ordinary moment as a possibility for the Holy Spirit to do something extraordinary. Each moment is pregnant with the possibility of declaring that the Kingdom of God is at hand, it is within reach. In gridlock, I was struggling to remember that nor dream of the possibilities.

That isn’t the only time I struggle in ordinary moments to see the Kingdom of God within reach in extraordinary ways. I struggle to believe the same in meetings and conversations with people – especially certain meetings and conversations with certain people. According to the Big Five Personality Test (or OCEAN assessments), I am an ambivert. I am just above the middle between extrovert and introvert. Though, I used to always assessed on the extrovert side, that has changed over time. Ambiverts are fluid and flexible based on situations – we enjoy being around others but deeply value time alone. For me, this means I groan when certain people stop by to talk. There is a slowness to their conversation or a haphazard approach that I don’t feel that I have time for. At the same time, there are some people that stop in, and they are fun for a moment or two – but they trap you. You know these people, they are a mile-a-minute talkers, that throw so much at you, erratically changing topics, and as a result you become exhausted two minutes into the conversation and you feel like you just completed a marathon. To be fair, I have never completed a marathon but I imagine that is what it feels like. There are the meetings you don’t feel you have anything to offer, and there are meetings in which could have been an email but they drag on. These moments too are ordinary moments with great possibility for the Holy Spirit to do something extraordinary. These exhausting and overwhelming moments too are pregnant with the possibility of declaring that the Kingdom of God is at-hand, that it is within reach. Yet, in the moment far too often we struggle to remember that nor dream of the possibilities.

We live in a hurried culture.

We live in a world filled with quick texts, fleeting remarks, hinted assumptions, and rushed meetings. Pressures and expectations are around us on all sides in the places we live, work, worship, and play. Then we have the pressures that kids sports and other involvements add into the mix. Recently, I feel that my ability to retain information (regardless if it be theology or a story) has been replaced by the need to simply remember the growing to-do list as a parent, employee, pastor, and a student. However, it is not just me, I believe that the pressure to move on to the next task is pressing and relentless for many of us – especially those of us who are driven extroverts. For others—perhaps especially introverts—there’s often a desire to simply get through the conversation or meeting so we can retreat to a place of peace. In this hurried pace, we finish each other’s sentences, interrupt, and assume we already know what someone is saying or feeling. This is a far cry away from David’s prophetic reminder to be still in the moment and know God is God. The moment before us is almost always important. Yet, it is hard to remember that (sometimes I might not even want to remember that). So often we detach from the present, our minds drifting to upcoming tasks and lingering to-do lists, all while trying to maintain the appearance of being engaged in conversation. This rush and detachment undermine the beauty of unhurried conversations. As followers of Jesus, we need to see that ordinary moments are a possibility for the Holy Spirit to do something extraordinary. Each moment is pregnant with the possibility of declaring that the Kingdom of God is at-hand, it is within reach. In the gridlock of the day, it is hard to remember and to dream of the possibilities.

The scriptures call for an unhurried way of living.

Without a doubt, I believe the scriptures call to us an unhurried life. In his book, An Unhurried Life, Pastor Alan Fadling mentions “I am a recovering speed addict,” and I think many of us are. Though it is not all that he meant, I suspect that this truth is embedded to what Paul meant when he told the Thessalonians to focus on “leading a quiet life” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). You may recall that I explored some time ago that the word “quiet” implies “stillness” and has some similarities to David’s call to “be still and know” (Psalms 46:10). The scriptures actually portray in many ways that “the one who acts hastily makes poor choices” (Proverbs 19:2). The Proverbs also tell us that those who are hasty with their plans and actions come to poverty (Proverbs 21:5). Those who are hasty with their words will find that fools have more hope (Proverbs 29:20). The word hasty implies being hurried and is used that way at times.

Jesus modeled an unhurried way of living.

Even more, there are many times in Jesus’ ministry that Jesus modeled a way that was unhurried. As Glynnis Whitwer commented on her blog, “Others around Jesus tried to hurry Him up, but Jesus refused to be rushed.” There are many stories that orient us into the possibility of the present. In the New Testament, most notably is the story of Mary and Martha. Jesus tells Martha that she is “worried and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed” (Luke 10:41, NET). What was needed was the practice of being still in that moment and knowing God is God. Dallas Willard described Jesus as “relaxed.” Even more, Jesus affirms that Mary has chosen the best way, a way of stillness with the master (Luke 10:42, NET). The unhurried way of living is at the core of who Jesus was, as we see him allow himself to be interrupted by people on his journey from one place to another – such as the woman with a bleeding problem in Luke 8:43-48. Jesus was headed somewhere, to do good works for another individual in great need, but Jesus still allowed himself to be interrupted in the moment. There is the story of Jesus learning that Lazarus was sick and dying, Jesus is not in a hurry and seemingly even delays, not shortening the moment he was in nor the moment of triumph yet to come (John 11:5-6). John tells us that that the one who claims to reside in God, “ought to walk just as Jesus walked,” or conduct himself as Jesus did (1 John 2:6, NET). The unhurried way is a way Jesus conducted him. As followers of Jesus are called to see every ordinary moment as a possibility for the Holy Spirit to do something extraordinary. Each moment is pregnant with the possibility of declaring that the Kingdom of God is at-hand.

We are also called to an unhurried way of conversation.

We are to be unhurried with our relationships and discernments, but also unhurried with our speech and conversations. In Proverbs, we find “the one who gives an answer before he listens” will find foolishness and shame (Proverbs 18:13, NET). This same caution is found in the New Testament. James, the brother of Jesus, encourages us to only be quick to do the unhurried thing – he writes, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.” (James 1:19, NET). This simple wisdom reminds us that listening with patience is a spiritual practice. When we aren’t in a hurry to respond, we honor both the person speaking and the sacredness of the moment. In being unhurried, we can be more prone to see each ordinary moment as a possibility for the Holy Spirit to do something extraordinary. The unhurried way is about sitting in the moment to see how it is pregnant with the possibility of declaring that the Kingdom of God is at-hand, that it is within reach.

The benefits of an unhurried way of living.

The significance of being unhurried isn’t in the way it benefits us physically, emotionally, or mentally. The sciences around us would certainly agree that there are practical benefits to an unhurried life – a life that is slow, patterned, and not hasty. Many sources, such as HealthShots, point out the health benefits of including lazy days into your routine. However, the significance of practicing an unhurried life is spiritually significant:

The unhurried life helps us to stop striving so that we can recognize where God needs to be exalted (Psalm 46:10, NET).
The unhurried life invites us to reside in the restful peace that Jesus offers, empowering us to let go of the unhealthy brokenness in our lives, allowing our souls to prioritize our efforts and ways (Matthew 11:28-30, NET).
The unhurried life allows us to see where God is at work in our lives in a way that moves us through awareness and repentance so that we take hold of God’s promises, in this way the unhurried way of quietness and trust is strength (Isaiah 30:15, NET).
In an unhurried life we begin to see what God is doing in the lives of those around us, valuing them and their interests above ourselves, and we can encourage God’s leading (Philippians 2:3-4, NET).

In being unhurried, we can be more prone to see each ordinary moment as a possibility for the Holy Spirit to do something extraordinary. The unhurried way is about sitting in the moment to see how it is pregnant with the possibility of declaring that the Kingdom of God is at-hand, that it is within reach.

Closing Thoughts

Jesus was seldom in a hurry, and he can be described as restful. It is a way of life for us to live by. So slow down, listen well, and discover the beauty of unhurried moments, meetings, and conversations. God’s presence often meets us in those sacred spaces void of hurry and distraction. This is what it means to make it our ambition to lead a quiet life.

What are some areas in your life where you feel hurried or overwhelmed? How might slowing down open space for the Holy Spirit to work?
How often do you notice God’s presence in the seemingly ordinary or mundane moments? How could you be more attentive?
What practices could help you embrace a slower, more intentional pace in your walk with Jesus?

I’m always interested in a good conversation or a cup of coffee. Let’s connect! I love hearing others’ stories and sharing my own while finding ways to support others on their journey. Feel free to reach out to me via email —I’d love to hear from you. You can also connect with me through Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, X, LinkedIn, Threads, and/or YouTube.

The NET Bible (New English Translation) is a translation of the Bible with 60,932 translators’ notes! It was completed by more than 25 scholars – experts in the original biblical languages – who worked directly from the best currently available Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts. I invite you to learn more about it, discover their resources, read it online, download it for free, purchase it, and use their online bible study software (don’t forget their iPhone app).

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About Jeff McLain

In the Lead a Quiet Life Blog on Patheos, Jeff McLain shares about the journey of downward mobility toward simplicity in a chaotic world. As the Practical Pastoral Theologian and Pastor at Water Street Mission and River Corner Church, and a Doctoral student at The Kairos University, Jeff combines his passion for faith, theology, and service. His unconventional path, from activism to hitchhiking, shapes his practical and pastoral approach. Jeff lives in Lancaster, PA with his wife and three daughters. He enjoys outdoor family moments, baseball, boardwalks, beaches, and books, embracing a vibrant, balanced life. You can also find Jeff on the Discovering God Podcast. You can read more about the author here.

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