A Norvell Note: Never in a Hurry
September 27, 2026 – Vol. 30 No. 36
Of all the statements and quotes I’ve heard or read, this one may be my favorite—and the most challenging.
“It is refreshing, and salutary, to study the poise and quietness of Christ. His task and responsibility might well have driven a man out of his mind. But He was never in a hurry, never impressed by numbers, never a slave of the clock.” — J.B. Phillips
Jesus was never in a hurry. Slow down long enough to let those words sink into your hurried mind.
I think about when I speed up to make it through a yellow traffic light, and the light turns red as I go through.
I remember those words when the driver behind me speeds to get around me and pull ahead; then we reach the traffic light, I look over, and there he is, right beside me.
When I realize I’m following the car ahead too closely, I think about Jesus and remind myself to give them more space and slow down.
I think about Jesus at an intersection when my light has just turned red. I’ll sometimes speed up to make a right turn before the oncoming traffic starts moving—at least, I hope they haven’t started yet.
As I reflect on the habits of hurried drivers, I’m reminded that many of us tend to rush through life. We hurry to get to meetings, then rush through them. We hurry to prepare a meal, hurry to eat, and clean the dishes so we can hurry to get ready for bed. Taking a moment to slow down can make these everyday routines feel a little more enjoyable.
We rush to church gatherings, hoping the sermon won’t run too long so we can enjoy a quick meal at the restaurant. Then we hurry home to tackle our chores and, if there’s time, take a short nap.
We’re moving at such a fast pace that it can be hard to slow down and catch our breath. So why are we in such a hurry? If Jesus “was never in a hurry, never impressed by numbers, never a slave of the clock,” perhaps we can take a moment to reflect on who we think we are. Will hurrying really make us more productive than Jesus?
If our goal is to become like Jesus, maybe we should try to live like Jesus.
I love you.
Tom
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2026 Tom Norvell. All Rights Reserved