Today we’re talking about a book that I return to again and again and again: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer.
This book has been like a gentle whisper to my soul, especially during seasons when life feels loud, busy, and overwhelming. I first read it years ago after a recommendation from my friend Amanda, and I truly think it’s one of the best book suggestions I’ve ever received.
Why This Book Matters 🌿
John Mark Comer, a megachurch pastor from Seattle, experienced burnout firsthand. His book is his call to arms — or rather, a call to slow down. It’s about reclaiming peace and purpose in a culture obsessed with speed, consumption, and constant distraction.
I listen to it on audiobook (narrated by Comer himself — he’s clever, engaging, and has a great voice), usually when I find myself yearning to live slower, more intentionally, and closer to God.
Life in the Fast Lane 🚗💨
We live in a world that constantly pulls us toward more — more screens, more scrolling, more shopping, more stimulation. None of us are immune. These apps and algorithms are designed to capture our attention and drain our energy — it’s not our fault! But it is our responsibility to wake up from that sleepwalking state and remember what we’re here for.
We’re meant to create goodness, nurture relationships, serve God, and care for His creations. Yet most of us are walking around half-present, eyes glued to our phones. This book is the antidote.
The Whisper That Changed My Rhythm 💛
When my days feel like a sprint — between little kids, endless to-dos, and constant noise — this book reminds me of something radical:
You’re allowed to slow down. You are allowed to live differently.
As a family, we already do this in a big way through Shabbat. We’re not Orthodox, but we are one of the few secular Jewish families we know who truly observe the Sabbath — and it’s been soul-giving.
When we miss a week, I can feel the difference. The rhythm of resting, stopping, and taking delight in God’s creation resets everything. Comer dedicates an entire chapter to the Sabbath, and reading it deepened my love for that sacred pause.
Three Big Takeaways from The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry 📚
1️⃣ Hurry Is the Enemy of a Spiritual Life
Hurry creeps into everything — especially parenting. Getting little kids out the door? A masterclass in patience. But what this book helped me see is that hurry itself is the problem. When we rush through everything, we miss the beauty and presence of life.
A friend once told me, “If I have to hurry to make it, the answer is no.” That stuck with me. Why say yes to plans that force you to rush through dinner or stress in traffic?
I’ve started saying no a lot more — to events, committees, even PTO emails I never meant to volunteer for. I’m okay missing the mom’s night out or the Saturday fair. Because honestly? I don’t want to hurry my Sabbath.
2️⃣ Sabbath and Silence Are Sacred 🌙
I’ve talked about this before, but it bears repeating: the Sabbath has changed my life.
Every Friday night, when we light candles, I feel my soul exhale. I put my phone in a drawer — no scrolling, no notifications, no distractions. It’s just us.
We’ve turned down Saturday birthday parties and extracurriculars for our kids. Of course, there are exceptions — close friends or family events — but our Shabbat rhythm is sacred.
On weeks when we skip it, I feel unmoored. On Tuesdays, I already start yearning for Friday night. That’s how powerful it’s become.
3️⃣ Living an Unhurried Life
My mornings have become my anchor. Now that our youngest is sleeping through the night, I wake up around 5 or 5:30 a.m. I curl up in my cozy living room chair with coffee, a few sacred books, and the fireplace on.
Some of my current reads include:
📖 Surrender by Gedale Fenster (a page-a-day book I adore)
📖 Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers — timeless wisdom)
📖 The Bible and psalms
📖 A few daily devotionals that connect me to prayer and reflection
John Mark Comer does this in his own way — through Christian scripture — and though our faiths differ, the essence is the same: living in divine presence.
These slow mornings, these pauses, they’re my antidote to hurry. They remind me that life is fragile, fleeting, and deeply sacred.
How This Book Changed Me 🌅
Since reading The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, I’ve completely rethought what “a good life” looks like. It’s not about maximizing productivity or squeezing in more activities — it’s about presence.
This book, along with Good Energy by Casey Means (another favorite I’ll discuss soon), made me reflect on how disconnected modern life has become — from our bodies, the earth, and each other.
Sure, we have convenience and technology. But at what cost? We weren’t designed to live this way — constantly lit by LED light, always plugged in, never still. Comer’s book reminds me that God didn’t create us to move this fast. The world may reward speed, but the soul thrives in slowness.
Final Thoughts 💭
If you take one book recommendation from me, let it be this one. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer. Read it. Listen to it. Let it wash over you. It will change your life — it changed mine.