Stop Rushing! Uncover Jesus’ Secret to Stress-Free Productivity

I want to write today about prohibiting the "rush" in our business lives.

Have you ever ended a frantic workday only to realize you haven't actually moved forward with any of your real goals?

In the hustle of managing my remote staffing agency, I’ve often found myself rushing from one task to the next, always feeling a step behind, never quite catching my breath. I frequently wonder at the end of my days, "What have I truly accomplished?"

The Problem: We Put Ourselves at Risk 

As Godpreneurs, we all face the challenge of balancing a packed schedule. There's always another meeting, another deadline, another commitment. 

But there's a difference between being busy and being in a rush—a distinction that can define the success and health of our entrepreneurial journey.

The Solution: Peace Over Haste

Jesus's life, as depicted in the Gospels, was undeniably busy. Take Mark 3:20, for example:

“Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.”

Jesus was also an “in demand” figure, like in John 11:5-7

[5] Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. [6] So when he heard that Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, [7] and then he said to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.

Yet, Jesus never appeared hurried. He waited two whole days after the news of Lazarus sickness to then go see him.

Even in His busiest days, like the one described in Mark 11 when he goes to Jerusalem as its new King, Jesus demonstrated a remarkable sense of control and purpose. He visited the temple courts, observed everything around Him, but chose not to act immediately because it was already late. Instead of rushing to "clean house" that evening, He paused, decided it could wait, and returned the next day (Mark 11:11).

KEY TAKEAWAY: His actions weren't dictated by the pressing crowds or endless tasks but by a deeper sense of timing and purpose. "It can wait," He might have thought, a lesson in prioritizing peace over haste.

The Journey to Rethink Urgency

How often do you push yourself to act immediately, fearing that if you don’t, opportunities will slip away? 

Jesus’s approach will challenge you to rethink urgency. What if you allowed yourself the space to say, "It can wait"? Imagine the quality of your decisions and interactions if they were made from a place of calm deliberation rather than rushed necessity.

Imagine a community of Christian entrepreneurs who operate not out of urgency but out of understanding and peace. When we choose to prohibit the rush in our lives, we embrace a style of productivity that is both effective and sustainable. We become leaders who are not just productive but also wise, peaceful, and impactful.

This brings us to our actionable step: 

Prohibit the Rush

By embracing Jesus’s model of productive busyness—acknowledging the fullness of our schedules yet refusing to let them dictate our pace—we cultivate an environment where our businesses can thrive without sacrificing our well-being or our witness.

To eliminate hurry, we need to get better at saying "no" to time requests that push us into haste.  Let’s prioritize like Jesus did, counting the cost of our time and choosing what aligns best with our mission and God’s calling. 

This week, take a moment to reflect on your schedule: where can you say, "It can wait"? How can you rearrange your priorities to reflect a more deliberate and God-honoring pace?

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BONUS RESOURCE: Questions to Help Business Owners Say "No" More Often

Here's a practical toolkit to empower you to make decisions that protect your time and align with your entrepreneurial vision and spiritual growth.

1. Does this align with my core business values and mission? Assess whether the request or opportunity is in harmony with the fundamental values and mission of your business. If it doesn’t align, it’s likely not worth your time.

2. Will this move me closer to my strategic goals? Consider if saying "yes" will advance you towards your long-term objectives. If it won't contribute to your main goals, it might be something you can skip.

3. Do I have the necessary resources to commit to this right now? Analyze your current resources, such as time, finances, and staff. If committing to this request would strain your resources or detract from more critical tasks, it’s a sign to decline.

4. What am I sacrificing to accommodate this request? Reflect on what you must give up to fulfill this new commitment. If the sacrifice outweighs the benefits, saying "no" could be the better choice.

5. Is this the best use of my time as the leader of this company? Evaluate whether this activity is something that requires your unique skills or could it be better handled by someone else or not at all. As a leader, your time is valuable and should be reserved for high-impact activities.

6. Can this request be postponed or delegated? Determine if the request can be delayed or if someone else on your team can handle it. This helps maintain focus on your priorities without outright rejection.

7. Does this opportunity excite me or feel like an obligation? Pay attention to your instincts. If something feels more like a burden than an exciting opportunity, it might not be worth your commitment.