Releasing “Hurry”

By Emma Whitworth, London, England

Scripture Reading

• Exodus 14:13-14
• Psalm 46
• Matthew 11:28-30

My name is Emma. I’m 26 and working for a ministry in East London whilst studying my master’s part-time. I was born and raised in the busy metropolis that is London. Whilst this means I have been blessed with a plethora of close connections and opportunities, hustle culture has been engrained into my understanding of what it means to be a productive, “fruitful” and engaged member of a family, a church, and society.

Throughout university I have very clear memories of responding to stress, grief, or deprivation by booking out my schedule. On reflection, I can see how “hurry” and “busy-ness” had become a safety blanket for me. By ensuring there was superficial complexity in my scheduling, university, and social life, I could avoid dealing with the internal and emotional complexity that simmered not far below the surface. 

To be busy was to feel productive and effective. And wasn’t that what God wanted from my discipleship? As a responsible steward of His creation, isn’t my fatigue a reflection of my devotion as a servant? 

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Exodus 14:13-14

I love this passage in Exodus! By taking on the perspective of the Israelites, we see the true battle that lies in practicing stillness with God. Where I often thought stillness was a sign of weakness or laziness, in this passage we perceive the strength and trust required to stand still amid an incoming attack.

As the Israelites watched the Egyptians—their captors, slave-masters, and oppressors--come over the horizon in hot-pursuit, there must have been a heart-dropping moment as Moses instructed them to stay planted where they were. “You need only to be still.” 

Psychiatrist Carl Jung said, “Hurry is not of the devil, it is the devil.” 

The devil loves it when we’re busy. The more we fill our lives up with human activity and become clouded by our own efforts, the less we can be tuned into where God is already moving. 

Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted among the Earth.

Psalm 46:10

To “know that I am God” is to recognize we are not God. To practice stillness is to live in the knowledge that God is so much bigger, more caring, and stronger than I am. There isn’t a crevice of my life or the lives of others that He cannot touch. 

In a world where an accepted response to the question “How are you?” is “Tired,” a peaceful spirit becomes a revolutionary and holy behaviour that contests the empires of capitalism and consumption that tower around us. 

Christmas has become a minefield for this kind of mentality. It makes more sense to sing over the words of Andy Williams – “It’s the most busy time of the year.” There’s a flurry of parties and presents and dinners. For many families, the hastening beat of Christmas can fill them with dread as opposed to celebration. There are so many people to think about, so much money to be spent, and so much time consumed. 

It is unfortunate that despite celebrating the quiet and humble birth of a baby in a stable, the devil has successfully injected the infectious mentality of haste. Much like with a herd, if you can persuade a couple to hurry, others will follow and before you know it you have a stampede. To maintain a normal pace, you risk being trampled underfoot, despite being unsure what direction the herd is heading in and when it will stop. 

“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 first rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Matthew 11:28-30

In celebrating the birth of Christ, what could be more “Christmasy" than practicing sabbath and resting in the knowledge that Jesus’s birth has brought restoration to our relationship with God. 

We are often told we are running out of time. We worry that we are not achieving, doing, or contributing enough with the time we have left. However, God reminds us that if we are sitting at His feet, then we are exactly where we need to be (Luke 10:39-42).

The devil loves when we are too busy to notice our inner lives. It distracts us from recognizing our own emptiness. Our Shepherd is calling us. But are we too surrounded by noise and activity to hear His voice?

Questions for Reflection

1. How do the words “you need only to be still” (Exodus 14:14) sit with you? Do they elicit fear or faith? Why?
2. What religious or non-religious clutter needs to be cleared from your life to help you experience intimacy and joy in Christ this Christmas?
3. What would it look like for you to rest in God’s presence during this period?

Today I will

Take time today to be still. Silence your phone. Turn off your computer, television, or other devices.  Sit quietly before God and trust that He is in control. Calm your mind as you meditate on the words, “You need only to be still.”

About the Author

Hello everyone. My name is Emma Whitworth. I am 26. I work for a church in East London while studying my master’s part-time. My favourite colour is burnt orange. My favourite spiritual book is The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard and favourite non-spiritual book is Jane Eyre. Currently, my scripture for reflection is 2 Peter 3:8-9. It brings me peace. I hope you enjoy my devotional, and something resonates with you.