BY JIM HOHNBERGER

E LIVE IN A HURRY-UP WORLD. It's not supposed to be that way, but it is. Technology and the proliferation of laborsaving devices were supposed to deliver "quality time" to us and our families, so that we could use it to focus on being, rather than doing.

Unfortunately, whatever "bonus" time we realize from our twenty-first-century lifestyle rarely translates into time spent developing relationships with those who bring the most quality to our lives: God, our families, our friends, and those whom we serve in Christ's name. Most often our discretionary time is devoted to an already-bulging schedule of commitments and appointments.

Yet we must have a living, vital, ongoing connection with our Savior if we expect to live a life of physical, emotional, and spiritual fulfillment. He is able and willing to save us to the uttermost, and as we go about our daily tasks we must never, even for a moment, sever our union and communion with the One who promised us "life in all its fullness" (see John 10:10).

Christ said, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me" (John 15:4). Abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, wherever we are, whatever we are doing. This receiving is an active, ongoing process. As long as this experience is maintained-all our thoughts, words, and actions centered in Him-the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in our daily lives (see Gal. 5:22, 23). But if we ignore our union and communion with the source of life and strength, the works of the flesh will be manifested (see Gal. 5:19-21).

Too Busy Being Good
One of the great diversions that keep us from bonding with the Savior is a hurried, overstressed, overworked day. We all begin the day with good intentions. Then unusually heavy traffic or car trouble keeps us from getting to work on time; or a coworker calls in sick and we are called to pick up the slack; or a doctor's appointment yields some discouraging, perhaps frightening, news. As we allow the day's pressures to consume and overtake us, the temptation is to let go of Christ and try to operate in our own strength, which is always insufficient. Ellen White cautioned: "Overwork sometimes causes a loss of self-control. But the Lord never compels hurried, complicated movements. Many gather to themselves burdens that the merciful heavenly Father did not place on them. Duties He never designed them to perform chase one another wildly. God desires us to realize that we do not glorify His name when we take so many burdens that we are overtaxed and, becoming heart-weary and brain-weary, chafe and fret and scold. We are to bear only the responsibilities that the Lord gives us, trusting in Him, and thus keeping our hearts pure and sweet and sympathetic."¹

Have you, like me, risen early, spent time in prayer and study, then gone on to the business of the day and lost hold of "him that is able to keep you from falling" (Jude 24)? Is there a solution to this daily menace? Here's what's worked for me.

Rest and Obey
I commit the keeping of my soul to Christ, then I rest in Him. When I am allured to become hurried, to take upon myself too much, I claim the promise: "Thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left" (Isa. 30:21). That still small voice invariably invites us to "be still and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10). Such a simple remedy to such a universal problem.

But how does it work? Simply by applying it. When I find myself becoming hurried or stressed-whether at home, work, play, or a social event-I'm simply prepared in mind, ahead of time, to take time out. This is a commitment I make with Christ at the beginning of every day. He faithfully reminds me, and when He does, I immediately submit myself to Him. By His grace I can resist the hurriedness of modern life and take a few minutes to "be still and know that [He is] God."

If I'm at the supper table, I lay down my knife and fork, sit back, relax, and talk silently with my Master. When hurried at home, I find a comfortable chair and let my body unwind as I share my burdens with my heavenly Father. When at work, I retreat to the bathroom or break room and pour my heart out to the Lord until I again have a quiet confidence in my Savior. At social gatherings a simple walk outside in the fresh air while talking to the One mighty to save has done wonders for my hurried spirit.

This simple solution has to be carried out numerous times a day, day after day, for we all have a tendency to return to our hereditary and cultivated habits. But when we faithfully submit ourselves to God's keeping, as often as necessary, we can have sweet communion with our Savior.

Even John, the beloved disciple, the one who most fully reflected the likeness of the Savior, did not naturally possess a quiet, restful, unhurried spirit. In fact, he was one of those known as "the sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17). But he submitted his life to Christ until he lost sight of self. His hurried, ambitious spirit was finally conquered through faith in the power of a ever-present Savior. This too may be our experience.

Slowing Down, Step by Step
The steps of action (or, should I say, inaction) are simple and well illustrated in Psalm 143:8-12: "Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant."

First, God always reveals His loving-kindness through the miracle of a new day. It is here when, through prayer, we commit the keeping of our souls to the One who is mighty to save.

Second, God reminds us of the way we should walk. In other words, in response to our prayers He faithfully impresses upon our minds the Christian graces we'll need throughout the day.

Finally, we lift our souls to Him. This third step consists not only of trust, but also of surrender.

In the Morning, When I Rise
This morning, when you arose from your night's rest, did you bring before God your cares, perplexities, and plans? Did you inquire of Him, the all-knowing one, what in your day was safe to perform and what was best undone? Did you inquire about His expectations of you?

"Christ in His life on earth made no plans for Himself," wrote Ellen White. "He accepted God's plans for Him, and day by day the Father unfolded His plans. So should we depend upon God, that our lives may be the simple outworking of His will."²

Think again about when you arose this morning. Did you lay your plans at the feet of Infinite Wisdom? This is where it must begin; this is where we receive the strength, wisdom, and direction for each day. This is what Jesus did. "And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed" (Mark 1:35).

This is the example of the One made flesh. He depended upon His Father's strength and power. He said,

"I can of mine own self do nothing" (John 5:30). As we realize that we can do nothing, we also seek the strength and guidance that is found in union and communion with Christ.

Pausing in His Presence
How many times in our seasons of devotion do we fail to receive the blessing of real communion with God? Here too I was in too great a haste.

I was like those described by Ellen White: "With hurried steps they press through the circle of Christ's loving presence, pausing perhaps a moment within the sacred precincts, but not waiting for counsel. They have no time to remain with the divine Teacher. With their burdens they return to their work."³

No wonder I never found deliverance from my hurried life. I had to learn the secret of strength; I had to allow myself time to think, to pray, to wait upon God. "Not a pause for a moment in His presence," wrote Ellen White, "but personal contact with Christ, to sit down in companionship with Him-this is our need."⁴

When, through prayer, we make this vital, can we go forward, knowing that He is by our sides. After all, He promised to nourish and sustain us. God gave Isaiah a song about the care He lavishes on His vineyard (His people): "I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: lest any hurt it, I will keep it night and day" (Isa. 27:3). When we leave ourselves in His hands, He makes us more than conquerors.

Only if we deliberately choose to step out of His loving will does the curse of hurriedness and overcommitment overtake us. Prayer is the vehicle that helps us dismiss the world's hurried pace and have the attitude of Christ when He said, "I do always those things that please [God]" (John 8:29).

Defend Your Priorities
Martin Luther, in a letter to Philipp Melanchthon, wrote: "I hate with exceeding hatred those extreme cares which consume you. If the cause is unjust, abandon it."⁵ What wonderful counsel: "If the cause is unjust, abandon it." How many of the things we busy ourselves with amount to no saving good? Let's abandon the intrusions that seek to drive a wedge between us and God, and defend the priorities that make it easy to cultivate important relationships. Let's defend those early-morning hours with God. Let's defend the time we spend with our spouse and children. Let's defend all that is wholesome and good, and rid ourselves of all that robs us of life's enduring joys. Then let's resist the constant temptation to add more pleasures, more hobbies, more social engagements, more obligations. Let's draw the line.

"An intensity such as never before was seen is taking possession of the world," warned Ellen White. "In amusement, in moneymaking, in the contest for power, in the very struggle for existence, there is a terrible force that engrosses body and mind and soul. In the midst of this maddening rush, God is speaking. He bids us come apart and commune with Him. 'Be still, and know that I am God' (Ps. 46:10)."⁶

Can any appeal be more inviting?

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¹ Ellen G. White, in Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Oct. 31, 1907.
² White, The Ministry of Healing, p. 479.
³ White, Education, p. 260.
⁴ Ibid., p. 261.
⁵ White, The Great Controversy, p. 210.
⁶ White, Education, p. 260.

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Jim Hohnberger is a writer who lives in Polebridge, Montana. He is founder of Restoration International (www.restoration-international.org). His books Escape to God, Empowered Living, and It's About People are available from Pacific Press Publishing Association.