Encourage, Featured

Hustle. Hustle. Hustle. Do We Always Have to Hustle?

I’ve been contemplating this post for over a year. I’m constantly watching friends like Carlos Whittaker and others, including Jon Acuff encourage others to hustle. I have no problem with that. I’m extremely driven, ambitious and have a strong work ethic.

As a matter of fact, I read my friend, Brad Lomenick’s book H3 Leadership: Humble. Hungry. Hustle and loved it. I love Brad’s quote: “Leadership is more than hard work, it is habitual work.”

However, in the hustle and bustle of 21st Century life, I often wonder if we hustle too much or too often. I wonder if we take the time to be still, be quiet, think, meditate, and hear that still, small voice of the Living God. I wonder if we stop to smell the roses and take in the beauty of a sunset or sunrise. I wonder if we appreciate the little things in life and thank God for family and friends.

Do we savor the good times in life and mourn the tough seasons that will inevitably come?

My exhortation and encouragement to you my friends is to take the time to Sabbath. Take time to pray. Take time to think. Take time to rest. I’ve said for years that we should work hard and play hard. If you focus only on “hustle,” you will just work hard. Take time to enjoy God and being in His Presence.

This holiday season, remember the story of Mary and Martha and make sure you’re not too busy hustling that you miss out on an opportunity to worship and adore the Savior.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations,
  I will be exalted in the earth!” – Psalm 46:10

POSTED ON December 3, 2018

1 Comment

  • December 2, 2016

    Gabe Harris

    Well said, Greg. This is a struggle for me, too. Thanks for the reminder to balance work and rest.

Greg Atkinson is the Founder of Worship Impressions and First Impressions Conference and the Executive Director of ExPastors.com. Greg is an author, leadership coach, and consultant. Over his 20—plus years of ministry experience, Greg has served as a pastor in various roles. As a campus pastor, he has served as a pastoral counselor for the past ten years and is a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. Greg has worked with churches of all stages and sizes as a consultant, including some of the largest and fastest-growing churches in the country, as well as with businesses, non-profits, and organizations such as Josh McDowell Ministries.