Finding Rest: Overcoming Hurry for Spiritual Health
Summary
### Summary
Today, we launched an exciting new initiative called The Hub, which offers a variety of small group options on Thursday nights. These groups are designed to foster connection and community within our church. We have groups for married couples, parenting classes, ladies' Bible studies, and men's Bible studies, among others. Childcare is available, making it easier for families to participate. We also have other groups meeting on different days, so there's something for everyone.
We then transitioned into our new series, "Finding a Healthy Rhythm in a Busy World." The focus is on the challenges that prevent us from living a spiritually and emotionally healthy life, with a particular emphasis on the issue of hurry. Hurry, as noted by Dallas Willard and Carl Jung, is a significant enemy of spiritual growth. Our culture is obsessed with busyness, and this constant rush can distract us from our spiritual priorities.
Jesus invites us to find rest in Him, as stated in Matthew 11:28-30. He offers a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. This series is inspired by John Mark Comer's book, "The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry," and aims to help us align our schedules with our values. We explored how our lives are often overloaded with tasks, leaving little margin for rest and spiritual growth.
We discussed the concept of margin, which is the space between our load and our limits. When our schedules are too packed, we experience stress and burnout. Jesus, despite having a full schedule, was never in a hurry. His life was aligned with His Father's will, and He always made time for prayer and rest.
We also identified symptoms of "hurry sickness," such as irritability, hypersensitivity, restlessness, workaholism, emotional numbness, out-of-order priorities, escapist behaviors, isolation, lack of care for the body, and slippage of spiritual disciplines. These symptoms indicate that we are living in a way that is not sustainable or spiritually healthy.
Jesus' invitation is clear: come to Him for rest. As we close in worship, let's take this opportunity to reflect on how we can rearrange our schedules to prioritize what truly matters.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Danger of Hurry: Hurry is a significant blockade to spiritual growth. Dallas Willard and Carl Jung both emphasize that hurry is detrimental to our spiritual lives. In our culture, everyone seems to be busy, but this busyness can distract us from our spiritual priorities and relationship with God. [37:03]
2. Jesus' Invitation to Rest: Jesus offers us rest and invites us to take His yoke upon us, which is easy and light. This invitation is crucial for those who are weary and burdened. Aligning our lives with Jesus' rhythm can bring us the rest and peace we desperately need. [39:37]
3. The Concept of Margin: Margin is the space between our load and our limits. When our lives are too packed with tasks, we experience stress and burnout. Jesus lived a full life but was never in a hurry. He always made time for what was most important, aligning His schedule with His Father's will. [44:15]
4. Symptoms of Hurry Sickness: Symptoms like irritability, hypersensitivity, restlessness, and workaholism indicate that we are living in a way that is not sustainable. These symptoms show that we are prioritizing busyness over spiritual health, leading to emotional and physical exhaustion. [54:17]
5. Aligning with Kingdom Values: Jesus' life was aligned with the kingdom of God, not the culture of earth. He was never influenced by the pressures of culture but was always about His Father's business. We need to evaluate our schedules and make sure they align with our values and spiritual priorities. [47:05]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[31:05] - Introduction to The Hub
[32:02] - Small Group Options
[33:04] - Childcare and Additional Groups
[34:14] - Other Group Options
[35:11] - Prayer and Series Introduction
[36:00] - Identifying Spiritual Blockades
[37:03] - The Danger of Hurry
[37:44] - Cultural Obsession with Busyness
[38:33] - Exploring Busyness as a Spiritual Blockade
[39:37] - Jesus' Invitation to Rest
[40:42] - The Problem of Too Much to Do
[44:15] - The Concept of Margin
[45:06] - Jesus' Full but Unhurried Life
[47:05] - Aligning with Kingdom Values
[54:17] - Symptoms of Hurry Sickness
[59:02] - The Cycle of Exhaustion
[01:00:32] - Reflecting on Jesus' Words
[01:01:32] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 11:28-30: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
2. John 5:19: "Jesus gave them this answer: 'Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.'"
3. Isaiah 30:15: "This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.'"
### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 11:28-30, what does Jesus offer to those who are weary and burdened?
2. In John 5:19, what does Jesus say about His actions and their alignment with the Father's will?
3. What does Isaiah 30:15 suggest is the key to salvation and strength?
4. What are some symptoms of "hurry sickness" mentioned in the sermon? ([54:17])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jesus' invitation to take His yoke upon us (Matthew 11:28-30) contrast with the cultural obsession with busyness? ([39:37])
2. What does it mean for our lives to have "margin," and why is it important according to the sermon? ([44:15])
3. How can the symptoms of "hurry sickness" affect our spiritual and emotional health? ([54:17])
4. In what ways did Jesus model a life that was full but not hurried, and how can we emulate that? ([45:41])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current schedule. Are there areas where you feel hurried or overwhelmed? How can you create more margin in your life? ([44:15])
2. Jesus invites us to find rest in Him. What practical steps can you take this week to accept His invitation and find rest for your soul? ([39:37])
3. Identify one symptom of "hurry sickness" that you struggle with. What changes can you make to address this symptom in your daily life? ([54:17])
4. How can you align your schedule with your values and spiritual priorities, similar to how Jesus aligned His life with His Father's will? ([45:41])
5. Think about a recent time when you felt stressed or burned out. What contributed to that feeling, and how can you prevent it from happening again?
6. How can you incorporate regular times of prayer and rest into your weekly routine, following Jesus' example? ([45:41])
7. In what ways can you support others in your small group or community who may be struggling with busyness and hurry? How can you encourage them to find rest in Jesus?
Devotional
Day 1: The Danger of Hurry
In our fast-paced culture, hurry has become a significant blockade to spiritual growth. Dallas Willard and Carl Jung both emphasize that hurry is detrimental to our spiritual lives. Our culture is obsessed with busyness, and this constant rush can distract us from our spiritual priorities and relationship with God. When we are always in a hurry, we miss out on the deeper, more meaningful aspects of life, including our connection with God and others.
Jesus invites us to slow down and be present, to find rest in Him. By recognizing the dangers of hurry, we can begin to make intentional choices to slow down and prioritize our spiritual health. This might mean setting aside specific times for prayer, reflection, and rest, or simply being more mindful of how we spend our time. [37:03]
Jeremiah 2:25 (ESV): "Keep your feet from going unshod and your throat from thirst. But you said, ‘It is hopeless, for I have loved foreigners, and after them I will go.’"
Reflection: What are some specific ways you can slow down and be more present in your daily life? How can you create space for spiritual growth amidst the busyness?
Day 2: Jesus' Invitation to Rest
Jesus offers us rest and invites us to take His yoke upon us, which is easy and light. This invitation is crucial for those who are weary and burdened. Aligning our lives with Jesus' rhythm can bring us the rest and peace we desperately need. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus calls us to come to Him for rest, promising that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
This means that we don't have to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Instead, we can trust in Jesus to guide us and provide for us. By accepting His invitation, we can find true rest and peace, even in the midst of a busy and chaotic world. [39:37]
Isaiah 30:15 (ESV): "For thus said the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, 'In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.' But you were unwilling."
Reflection: What burdens are you carrying that you need to lay down at Jesus' feet? How can you accept His invitation to rest and find peace in Him today?
Day 3: The Concept of Margin
Margin is the space between our load and our limits. When our lives are too packed with tasks, we experience stress and burnout. Jesus lived a full life but was never in a hurry. He always made time for what was most important, aligning His schedule with His Father's will.
Creating margin in our lives means intentionally leaving space for rest, reflection, and spiritual growth. It means not overloading our schedules to the point of exhaustion, but instead, prioritizing what truly matters. By following Jesus' example, we can learn to live a balanced and healthy life, with enough margin to thrive spiritually and emotionally. [44:15]
Ecclesiastes 4:6 (ESV): "Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind."
Reflection: How can you create more margin in your life? What are some specific tasks or commitments you can let go of to make space for rest and spiritual growth?
Day 4: Symptoms of Hurry Sickness
Symptoms like irritability, hypersensitivity, restlessness, and workaholism indicate that we are living in a way that is not sustainable. These symptoms show that we are prioritizing busyness over spiritual health, leading to emotional and physical exhaustion. Recognizing these symptoms is the first step towards making a change.
By identifying the areas of our lives where we are experiencing hurry sickness, we can begin to make intentional choices to slow down and prioritize our well-being. This might mean setting boundaries, saying no to certain commitments, or seeking support from others. By addressing hurry sickness, we can create a healthier, more balanced life. [54:17]
Psalm 127:2 (ESV): "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep."
Reflection: What symptoms of hurry sickness are you experiencing in your life? How can you address these symptoms and make changes to prioritize your spiritual and emotional health?
Day 5: Aligning with Kingdom Values
Jesus' life was aligned with the kingdom of God, not the culture of earth. He was never influenced by the pressures of culture but was always about His Father's business. We need to evaluate our schedules and make sure they align with our values and spiritual priorities.
This means being intentional about how we spend our time and making choices that reflect our commitment to God's kingdom. It might mean setting aside time for prayer, serving others, or simply being present with our loved ones. By aligning our lives with kingdom values, we can live a more meaningful and fulfilling life, focused on what truly matters. [47:05]
Colossians 3:2 (ESV): "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
Reflection: How can you align your schedule with your values and spiritual priorities? What changes can you make to ensure that your life reflects your commitment to God's kingdom?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Hurry is one of the most effective blockades that the enemy uses in order to bring distraction. And stunt our growth. According to Dallas Willard, he was an American philosopher. And he was known for his writings on Christian spiritual foundation. He says this. He says, hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. The great enemy." [36:00] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If the devil can't make you sin, he will make you busy. I've listened to a lot of messages and been in church a long time. But I don't know of anybody talking about busyness being a blockade to your spiritual life." [38:33] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus was active. He had a lot of things on his plate. His days were full, but they were full of doing his father's business. All the time in the gospels, he was about doing the most important thing. He would always retreat and pray and he would be all about his father's business." [45:41] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So why was Jesus not in a hurry? Because God didn't make hurry. Think about that. That is not something of God. That means that if you and I are living for the kingdom of heaven, then we should never be in a hurry." [47:05] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus says come to me all you who are weary and burdened. Do you hear those words? I will give you rest. That's his invitation. I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart. And you. You get this he's saying if you do this you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy. And my burden is light." [01:01:32] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Hurry is one of the most effective blockades that the enemy uses in order to bring distraction. And stunt our growth. According to Dallas Willard, he was an American philosopher. And he was known for his writings on Christian spiritual foundation. He says this. He says, hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. The great enemy." [36:00] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If the devil can't make you sin, he will make you busy. I've listened to a lot of messages and been in church a long time. But I don't know of anybody talking about busyness being a blockade to your spiritual life." [38:33] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus was active. He had a lot of things on his plate. His days were full, but they were full of doing his father's business. All the time in the gospels, he was about doing the most important thing. He would always retreat and pray and he would be all about his father's business." [45:41] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So why was Jesus not in a hurry? Because God didn't make hurry. Think about that. That is not something of God. That means that if you and I are living for the kingdom of heaven, then we should never be in a hurry." [47:05] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus says come to me all you who are weary and burdened. Do you hear those words? I will give you rest. That's his invitation. I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart. And you. You get this he's saying if you do this you will find rest for your soul. For my yoke is easy. And my burden is light." [01:01:32] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
(Note: Some quotes are repeated in both categories as they fit the criteria for both outreach and members.)
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