Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes. Proverbs 19:2 (NLT)

In Alice in Wonderland, the White Rabbit lamented, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.” This is a sentiment that I’m sure that we can all relate to at one time or another in our busy lives. At times, it can seem like for every step forward, we seem to go back 2 steps.

It is not as though we are unaware of the problem, but pressures from within and from without can be enticing. We may feel as though we are not keeping up with everyone else. We experience the sensation of falling behind, and we do not like it. Yet, like White Rabbit, the faster that we try to do things and accomplish our tasks, the further behind we find ourselves.

Congressman Jack Bergman made this observation: “There’s never enough time to do it right, but there’s always enough time to do it over.” The stress that we put on ourselves is not good. God spoke through Haggai:

 “Take a good, hard look at your life. Think it over. You have spent a lot of money, but you haven’t much to show for it. You keep filling your plates, but you never get filled up. You keep drinking and drinking and drinking, but you’re always thirsty. You put on layer after layer of clothes, but you can’t get warm. And the people who work for you, what are they getting out of it? Not much— a leaky, rusted-out bucket, that’s what.” Haggai 1:5–6 (MSG)

The physical and emotional cost accumulates subtly at first. We may not recognize that we are becoming sick and exhausted from our hurried pace. We are no longer fully present for our families and friends.

Jesus Was Never in a Hurry

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all that they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a remote place and rest for a while.” For many people were coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. Mark 6:30–31 (CSB)

It might be incomprehensible for some of us, but Jesus was never in a hurry. He preached to thousands of people, he fed the 5000, but he took time for individuals. His longest recorded interaction was with an outcast Samaritan woman.

He never seemed to be bothered by interruptions. Jesus was on his way to minister to the dying daughter of Jairus, but when a woman had the boldness to reach out and touch his garment, he slowed down and engaged in a conversation that changed her life. When a blind man cried out for mercy, Jesus paused his journey and said, “Call him.” Jesus took the time to dine with Zacchaeus, allowing time for a personal connection.

Even the children received attention from Jesus, over the objection of his disciples: Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.” Luke 18:16 (NLT)

Jesus did not have planes, trains, or automobiles available to him. He walked almost everywhere he went. Even when he entered Jerusalem for the last time, he chose to ride on a donkey. Despite the lack of modern transportation and the lack of hurriedness, it is amazing what was accomplished: Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written. John 21:25 (NLT)

Take Time to Be Holy

For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “You will be delivered by returning and resting; your strength will lie in quiet confidence. But you are not willing.” Isaiah 30:15 (CSB)

I have observed that when you are in ministry, you never catch up completely. There is always something left to do at the end of the day. At times, the temptation is strong to shorten or skip our times of devotion and prayer because of our workload. We are not talking about useless or trivial matters, but ministry preparation, visitation, and counseling.

If we do not take the time to renew and recharge, eventually we will have nothing left to give. This is a primary cause for burnout or ministry depletion. I appreciate what Martin Luther said: “I am so busy that if I did not spend at least 2 or 3 hours each day in prayer, I could not get through the day.” Luther viewed prayer as a necessity, not a luxury.

Prayer and solitude with God were very prominent in the life of Jesus. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Luke 5:16 (NLT). The second stanza of the hymn by William D. Longstaff captures the importance of our time alone with God.

Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct his likeness shall see.

Working for Jesus is not as important as being like him. More will be accomplished in his strength than in our strength alone.

Slow Down and Wait

But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired. Isaiah 40:31 (NET)

There is a lot of hard work to be done. However, it is a mistake to think that we have the capacity, strength, and endurance to accomplish the task on our own. We never forget the commission that Christ gave us to make disciples. Paul realized this and declared:

So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. Colossians 1:28–29 (NLT)

We know that “haste makes waste.” Jesus is the one to whom we can go for rest for our souls, and he willingly takes our burdens, helping us to carry the load. Our good Shepherd will bring us to green pastures. We can rest from our haste, and yet not waste any opportunity for his kingdom.

Steve Ekeroth