Tyranny of the Urgent

The importance of learning to listen to the “still small voice” within

by Adeeba Folami

Many years ago, in living with a Christian family, I first came across the writing “Tyranny of the Urgent,” by Charles Hummel and because the theme meant much to me, I typed it up and have kept it in my possession all these years. Although my religious views have evolved, I often reflect on the tyranny lesson, especially when feelings of inadequacy and failure start to creep into the mind or worries over whether or not I’m doing enough with my life.

It takes effort to avoid falling into the trap of comparing where you are with where other people might be or where “they” think you should be. We can get so lost in doing what others have told, taught or trained us to do in the the way of “good works” or “doing the work of God,” that we ignore the leading of that “still, small voice” of God inside of us.

As Hummel wrote, “It is not God who loads us until we bend or crack with an ulcer, nervous breakdown, heart attack or stroke. These come from our inner compulsions coupled with the pressure of circumstances. We may work day and night to achieve much that seems significant, but we may not finish the work God has for us to do. The only alternative to frustration is to be sure that we are doing what God wants.”

Regardless of your belief in who/what God is, there seems to be value in learning the lesson of balance. Value in learning to listen to that inner voice or intuition that regularly gets drowned out by all the external chatter, busy-ness, life stresses and noise that surround us daily.

The Biblical stories of Jesus show he spent much time in prayer, reflection or meditation, in other words, in environments set apart from the chaotic world around him. This enabled him to become more in tune with God and more importantly, with (him) self. He moved from “the inside out” and is not one who, according to the Book, ever allowed himself to be taken off course because of what others thought, what was happening around him or based on what others were saying or doing. He was focused, at peace and well aware of his purpose. How many of us can say the same? As Hummel concluded, “Jesus did not finish all the urgent tasks in Palestine, but he did finish the work God gave him to do.”

Nothing substitutes for the peace you feel in giving yourself permission to say and believe that where you are at this particular moment is right where you should be. There’s much comfort in trusting that your commitment to mastering the art of listening to and following that voice of God (intuition) within ensures you’re headed in the right direction in life.

Below is the full text of Charles Hummel’s Tyranny of the Urgent:

Jesus lived his life in complete dependence upon God, as we all ought to live. Such dependence does not destroy human personality. Man is never so truly and fully personal as when he is living in complete dependence upon God. This is how personality comes into its own.

As we wait for directions the Lord frees us from the tyranny of the urgent. He shows us the truth about himself, ourselves and our tasks. He impresses on our minds the assignments He wants us to undertake. The need itself is not the call. The call must come from the God who knows our limitations.

It is not God who loads us until we bend or crack with an ulcer, nervous breakdown, heart attack or stroke. These come from our inner compulsions coupled with the pressure of circumstances.

We may work day and night to achieve much that seems significant, but we may not finish the work Gods has for us to do. The only alternative to frustration is to be sure that we are doing what God wants.

Nothing substitutes for knowing that this day, this hour, this place we are doing the will of the Father. Then and only then can we think of all the other unfinished tasks with equanimity and leave them to God.

Jesus did not finish all the urgent tasks in Palestine, but he did finish the work God gave him to do.

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