Welcome to Minute with Mallon!
Something I Taught:
Today, I'm going to talk about some spiritual things. If that's not your thing, I completely understand. Feel free to close this out, and I'll see you next week.
Back in July, I reread a book called The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer.
I first read it in early 2020. Both times, on a scale of 1 to 10, I gave it a solid 10. It's an extremely good book.
And it's funny how different parts of a book hit you when you read it again. I've come to believe that it's a good idea to read certain books more than once because you'll be a different person the next time you read them.
Anyway, while reading the book, I started becoming very aware of just how much hurry was in my life.
God has blessed me with an incredible coaching business. But there are days when I feel like I'm hurrying from one call to the next.
For much of my life, I've been one of those guys who drives in the left-hand lane. Always! So I made a conscious decision to spend most of my time driving in the right-hand lane.
I also caught myself rushing through conversations with friends and people I dearly love, just to get to the next thing.
And I began realizing that hurry wasn't something I occasionally did. It had become a habit.
The more aware I became of it, the more I started fighting it.
I began intentionally slowing down. I even started scheduling things differently so I wouldn't constantly feel rushed.
But here's what really got my attention.
Every single morning, I spend time with God. It's something I simply do not miss. I read a chapter in the Bible, and then I pray.
It's one of the most enjoyable times of my day.
And I realized I was even rushing through that!
So I wrote out a prayer that I now read every morning during my time with God.
I'd like to share it with you.
Father, I have lived hurried for a long time.
I have spent too much of my life thinking about what is next instead of being fully present in what is now.
Teach me to live at Your pace.
Give me an unhurried heart. Help me stop rushing through conversations, meals, relationships, prayer, and the ordinary moments of my life.
When I feel the urge to hurry, remind me that I don’t have to get everything done. I only need to be faithful with what You have given me to do today.
Help me notice people. Help me listen longer. Help me leave margin. Help me enjoy the life You have already given me instead of constantly racing toward the next thing.
Jesus, You never seemed hurried. Teach me to walk through my days the way You did, with purpose, peace, compassion, and presence.
Slow my mind. Quiet my spirit. Order my priorities. Teach me to be fully present with You and with the person in front of me.
Today, help me choose presence over hurry.
Amen.
I've been praying this every morning, and I can honestly tell you it's making a difference.
If this speaks to you, feel free to copy the prayer and make it part of your own morning routine.
And here's something I'd encourage you to think about:
What are you rushing through today that you might someday wish you had slowed down and enjoyed?
Maybe it's a conversation with your spouse. Time with your children or grandchildren. A meal with a friend. Or even your time with God.
Life moves quickly enough on its own. We don't need to help it along.
Don't get so busy getting to the next thing that you miss the beauty of what's right in front of you.
If someone came to mind while you were reading this, would you take a moment to forward it to them? Maybe it's something they need to hear today.
Something to Ponder:
"Hurry is not just a disordered schedule. Hurry is a disordered heart."
John Ortberg, The Life You've Always Wanted
Something I Saw:
Kiva Koffeehouse, Escalante, Utah
👉 I'd love to hear your thoughts. Reply directly to me at: Robert@RobertMallon.com
Hope you have an incredible week!
Robert
