Increasing obligations, increasing responsibilities, and increasing challenges of life demand that we pick up the pace in our daily lives. How in the world are we going to complete everything we have to do unless we find ways to do them easier and faster? Our God is so big and infinite that it must be difficult for him to truly understand the struggle humankind.

Martin Luther, regarded as the father of the Reformation, once said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” What Luther practiced seems unreasonable, unattainable and unduplicatable for us as we try to fit in all that we have to do. Some might argue that Luther didn’t have to deal with his kids after school sports schedules, work deadlines, or rush hour traffic on I-70. That is probably true, but I assure you, Luther had a lot to deal with including challenging an institution that had the power to destroy him. In the midst of Luther’s busyness, he did not neglect to connect to his God for strength, for energy and for peace.

Our struggle is real and many of us are aching for solutions to the “hurry” that has invaded and possessed our existence. It is to that troubling disposition that God invites us to “abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. (Isaiah 32:18). You may find it nearly impossible to start your day with 3 hours of prayer. But it seems extremely reasonable for us to find 3 minutes to start our day breathing in the words and truth of the Living God, who desires for his people to have rest and peace. May the peace of God reign in our hearts and may we resist the temptation for hurry to steal God’s promise of peace.