Unhustled: Reclaiming the Sacred Art of Doing Less
The world tells us that January is for acceleration—new goals, new habits, new hustle. But God’s kingdom moves in the opposite direction. What if the holiest thing we could do at the start of the year is…less? What if restraint, not ambition is the doorway to renewal? This softer approach invites us to step out of the cultural current and rediscover the sacredness of margin, rest, and unhurried presence with God. Maybe instead of hustling into the new year, reclaiming the sacred art of doing less resonates with you.
In the past, even if I have not yet set goals or composed a list of new habits for the new year, I have a focused direction. But this year I sense a distinct nudge from God to a time of rest, reflection and refinement.
Though it feels counter cultural, when my peers seem full of energy, busy tackling new projects and goals, it also feels empowering.
Rather than succumbing to the pull of the current around me, my feet remain steadfast, and my heart open to God’s invitation to hush the hurry. At first, this felt uncomfortable, as if deep down I searched for a way of avoiding the work before me. But doing less is not laziness, but obedience. It demonstrates our trust that God accomplishes more with our surrender than our striving.
For some time, I felt both restless and burdened, yet unable to determine the cause. As the new year drew close, anxiety grew over beginning the year with clear direction and productivity.
Reflecting on areas of my life, desires for personal and spiritual growth, and projects goals, I became more anxious and even confused. Then one morning, God pointed out during my quiet time, that I was holding too many things, and instead, holding space would allow my soul to breathe.
Hesitant, I set aside two spiritual disciplines, while putting a few projects and commitments on hold. Painful as it seemed in the moment, the space this effort created brought clarity to the restlessness and heaviness within my soul.
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”
Reclaiming the sacred art of doing less, empowers us to unclench our hands, release our frantic pace, and rediscover the joy of simple presence with God.
As I surrendered to resting before God rather than running into the new year, through a time of reflection, I saw a harmful pattern emerge. Whether my goals related to personal and spiritual growth, or project and lifestyle desires, I relied on the inadequate resources of my own wisdom, experience, and strength.
The problem rested not in the desires or goals, but in where I placed my faith for accomplishing them.
I was restless and burdened because of my efforts to live the life I thought pleased God in my own strength. This always results in over functioning—doing more, not less. This realization led to repentance and some practical advice.
3 Ways to Reclaim the Sacred Art of Doing Less
Slow Down. Unhustle—hurry is the enemy of clarity. A slower pace fosters perspective, peace, and presence. It also allows God to speak clarity into our chaotic choices.
Surrender. Open heart and hands; avoid hoarding desires, intentions, and goals. Place everything in God’s sovereign hands, permitting Him to place back into your hands only those things which He determines best.
Submit. Relax into God’s plans for you in the coming year. Soften under His hands as He conforms you into a person who lives by radical faith instead of foolish ambition.
Reclaiming the sacred art of doing less compels us to embrace a life characterized by trust in God’s goodness, rather than overburdened striving.
Avoid looking horizontally in cultural expectations or your own strength for what you received vertically in your relationship with God.
We have no need for another spiritual discipline, self-help book, or more robust goals. We need the life-giving rhythms of rest and trust in the God who alone gifts us the life we were meant to live. May He free us from the pressure to perform, teaching us instead the holy rhythm of rest and trust.
How is hustling stealing your peace? What might doing less this month look like for you?
” Set me free from the laziness that goes about disguised as activity when activity is not required of me, and from the cowardice that does what is not demanded, in order to escape sacrifice. But give me the strength that waits upon You in silence and peace. Amen.”
Thomas Merton
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