Part of Nathan Foster’s grad school internship was to lead treatment groups for domestic violence offenders. To combat nervousness, he would carry into the group a hot cup of tea filled to the brim. This required slow, careful walking and became a sort of spiritual practice to settle his heart in a volatile environment.

That story is featured a new episode of Friends in Formation, where a quote comes up that elevates a seemingly benign vice to the level of deadly sin: ​“hurry is greed.”

Strong words. Why is it greed?

Because hurry demands that a desired future be brought into the present at a faster rate than God intends. It puts productivity above people. Stated plainly and personally, when my heart is in a state of hurry I don’t love well.

Many of us love quoting Dallas’s advice to ​“ruthlessly eliminate hurry.” But in talking about this with co-hosts James and Richella on the podcast, Nathan candidly points out, ​“I don’t know of anyone who actually does that.”

That stung a little. Convicted. Made me a little defensive. Because it’s true.

It reminded me not to become complacent with merely writing about or discussing matters of spiritual formation. As helpful as that may be, it’s the practices, actually doing the things Jesus did — like retreating with the Father even when life feels impossibly busy — that kill hurry and cultivate love, joy, and peace.

So, Father, unhurry our hearts. Help us to do the work you’ve given us to do in your way and at your pace, motivated by love and not greed. And we trust that what’s done in this way is enough.