Books

David Henderson’s book offers a new take on the classic principles described in Hummel’s The Tyranny of the Urgent and Swenson’s Margin. Tranquility takes its title from Ecclesiastes 4:6:

Better one handful with tranquility
than two handfuls with toil
and chasing after the wind. (NIV)

In other words, we have to make choices. A limited amount of time forces us to admit we can’t do it all and to choose what we will do with life.

Henderson reminds us—through practical chapters more about the topic of time than tranquility—that finding contentment in where God has us offers a more satisfying and obedient life than chasing after a thousand different opportunities. Tranquility: Cultivating a Quiet Soul in a Busy World is about choosing priorities in the use of our time.

My favorite quote in the book (p. 53) applies this principle in the realm of relationships:

Relationships are inherently inefficient. All involve spending lots of time just being together—not accomplishing something. God’s refining work in us–such as the forming of patience, endurance, and perseverance—also offers no immediate payback. Yet these things keep coming up in Scripture as valuable, even if they are born of “wasted” time.

If you’d like a new look on some tried-and-true principles, you’ll find Tranquility worth your time.