January 12, 2025
We’re in a sermon series called A Better Way. Jesus said I am the way and the truth and the life. As Christians, we talk more about how Jesus is the truth, and He is the life. But we don’t talk so much about how Jesus is the Way. But he’s the way, and the first Christians were called followers of the way. There was a way Jesus did things, and he calls us to follow in his ways. We’re talking about some ideas from the book, “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.” Today we’re talking about hurrying, and when you’re too busy for what matters.
There was a time when I was in a hurry! I was getting Ian to school, he was in 1st grade. We were running behind. I was a block away but could see the bus was at the bus stop. Kids were getting on. We had to go down a steep hill to get to the bus. I thought, if I don’t get to the bus on time, I’ll have to drive him. So, I said to Ian, “Let’s run!” Well, we didn’t get very far! He fell on his face on the sidewalk. He was crying! Did we make it to the bus? No, we did not. Did hurrying help? No, it did not. It made things worse. We went back home. I cleaned Ian up and put band aids on. I drove him to school. It was picture day! He’s a trooper, in his school picture he had a great big smile, and several band aids on his face!
That is not the only time I was in a hurry with my kids. The moments when I was at my worst as a mom, when I yelled, said something mean I shouldn’t have, those moments happened when I was in a hurry. When I’m not in a hurry, not so crazy busy, when I’m feeling peace, joy, and I’m not rushed, at those times better words tend to come out of my mouth!
When you get too busy or in too much of a hurry, it cuts you off from God and from other people. There can be a healthy busy: you have work to do, work that matters. But there is also an unhealthy kind of busy, where you have too much to do and the only way to get it done is to hurry. What happens to your attitude when you’re busy and in a hurry? Are you patient and kind? No! You’re honking your horn, showing a certain finger, and raising your voice.
You may say, but I’m busy, I can’t help it! You don’t understand pastor. I have a full-time job. You’re a preacher and you only work on Sundays! I don’t have time to slow down! I have to work a job, clean the kitchen, raise kids, watch TV, find out what’s happening on social media, shovel snow, and make dinner. Life just gets busier, and the pace gets faster and faster. And pretty soon you realize, I don’t have time for some things I wish I had time for. We don’t have time for a meal with our family. We don’t have time for a deep conversation with our friends. And we don’t have time to read or reflect or spend time, getting closer with God. We just don’t have time.
The way Jesus lived is amazing. He was not in a hurry. He waited to start ministry until he was 30! He was an important guy, the son of God! You’d think he’d want to get started as soon as possible! They started working at a young age back then, maybe Jesus could have started his ministry at 14 years of age. Changing the world takes a lot of time! But Jesus was not in a hurry. He waited until he was about 30 to start ministering. When he was thirty, did he roll up his sleeves and get busy healing, preaching and teaching? No, not yet. First, he took a 40-day retreat in the wilderness. Has anybody gone on a retreat? Yes? Anybody go on a 40-day or longer retreat? Not me. Jesus was not in a hurry. He went out to the wilderness, for 40 days, where he met the devil. Here we discover that Jesus has a superpower: since He lives his life at a slow pace, he is in a good space, at peace, which makes him able to resist the temptation of the devil! We think Jesus is amazing because he could work miracles and heal. But he also has the superpower of living at a slow pace, with time for people!
There’s an amazing story in Mark 5, our gospel today. A synagogue leader named Jairus comes to Jesus and falls at his feet. He REALLY wants Jesus’ help! He says, “My little daughter is dying!” He begs Jesus to help her! Jesus says, ok, and goes with Jairus. Jesus is walking (notice, he’s not running!) to get to the little girl. And as he’s walking along a woman who’s been bleeding a lot, for 12 years, sees Jesus and thinks to herself, “If I just touch Jesus clothes, I’ll be healed!” She touches his clothes, and immediately she’s healed.
Jesus knows someone has just been healed! He stops walking and starts looking at the people in the crowd around him, asking, “Who touched my clothes?” He is in no hurry to reach the dying girl. The woman who touched Jesus falls at his feet (she’s afraid he’ll be mad at her!) and she tells him she’s the one who touched him, and all about her illness and suffering. Jesus says, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.” And he blesses her.
While Jesus is taking his sweet loving time talking to this woman, the little girl he promised to help dies. People from Jairus’ house come and tell him, your daughter is dead. Jesus doesn’t need to come. It’s too late.
But Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” And he comes and brings the little girl back to life! It’s a life and death situation, but Jesus is not afraid and in no hurry! He chooses to spend all the time in the world, no hurry, when these two people around him have a need. He teaches us, you have time for what you choose to have time for.
How do you know who and what to give your time too? Jesus knew his priorities. A person in need of his help, that was his priority. Jesus believed you have a choice about how you spend your time.
In Luke chapter 10: 38-42, Mary and Martha are sisters, and Jesus comes to their house for dinner. Mary is sitting and listening to Jesus teach, while her sister Martha is cooking dinner. Martha goes to Jesus and says to him, tell my sister to come help me cook! And Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Often, we hear the story of Mary and Martha, and we feel for Martha, because we’ve all been in the situation before where we’re left with all the work and no one helps. Normally it is great to help your sister when there’s work to do. But sometimes you have a choice, and one choice is better than the other. Mary chooses what is better. She chooses to sit and listen to Jesus.
Martha has a choice as well. She doesn’t have to get busy in the kitchen when Jesus comes. She could pick up food from Scotto’s or serve peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Mary chooses what is better. You have time for what you choose to have time for.
How do you know what your priorities are, and where to spend your time? You ask yourself, if I only had 30 days left to live, what would I do? Whatever your answer is: those are your priorities. Few things are needed. Choose what is better.
Life is busy. We can get sucked into it, doing things that don’t matter, forgetting the things and the people that do matter, and forgetting God. In most cases, we have a choice. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-29, “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.”
My challenge for you this week is in the bulletin where it says today’s message: talk it over. The last question is: “What will you do to walk slowly enough to experience Jesus fully and love people deeply?” Ask yourself that question.
Jesus did not run! He didn’t hurry.
Jesus shows us the way to do life. He is the way, and he teaches us to free ourselves from worry and hurry. Jesus had the superpower of moving slow enough to have time for people and for God. He teaches us that way. Slow down. Don’t spend time on things that aren’t important. Know your priorities and spend your time on them. You have time for what you choose to have time for. Take time to rest, whatever that rest looks like. Whether it’s taking a nap or doing something you love to do that’s relaxing. And come to Him. Jesus offers rest for your soul.
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