11 Jul 2025

Finding God in the fast lane (by Joyce Huggett)

Finding God in the fast lane by Joyce Huggett
(Amazon UK link)
I like Joyce Huggett’s writing, and realised at the start of the year that it’s a long time since I read her books. I only have three, but liked them all when I first read them. I re-read ‘Listening to others’ in January, and decided at the start of July that it was time to try another one. I last read ‘Finding God in the fast lane’ in 2012, and hadn’t remembered what it was about, though the title certainly gives an overview.

As I started, I was reminded that this book makes a lot of reference to Brother Lawrence’s book ‘The practice of the presence of God’. Inspired by Joyce Huggett’s book I managed to acquire a copy of this series of ‘maxims’ by a 17th century monk, and read it in 2008. But I found it very heavy going and rather too obvious. So I was all the more impressed that Joyce Huggett managed to write about it in contemporary terms (albeit thirty years ago), and produce a thought-provoking, helpful commentary. 

The main theme is about being aware of God all through the day. The author assumes that we’re ultra-busy - she observes people waking early, exercising, getting children ready for school, working for eight hours, then making dinner and perhaps going out again, with barely a moment to themselves. Hence the title including the ‘fast lane’. Since I am not out at work, and no longer have children at home, this phrase doesn’t apply to me at all. But still, much of the content resonated strongly. 

Having said that, I’ve always been aware that I could ‘chat’ with God any time, in any circumstances. I was doing this as a small child, and, at least in theory, never really stopped. But in practice, of course, I often go through my days with little reference to God; I might not be racing around, but I’m still doing many things in the house, and often daydreaming or worrying about something, when I could be offering everything to God. 

The author is very honest about her own life, the ways she falls short. And she quotes Brother Lawrence many times; he worked in a monastery kitchen, and believed himself to be a terrible sinner, albeit saved by Jesus and sustained by his faith. Some of his quotations sound a bit over-exaggerated; it’s hard to believe that someone in an enclosed monastery could possibly commit terrible sins. 

I expect he got irritated sometimes with other monks, or by his restricted life, or bored with chopping vegetables. But since he apparently chatted to God the whole time, and kept going with his chores, it doesn’t seem to me particularly sinful to feel a tinge of boredom or annoyance.

However, modern life has its own ways of intruding; it’s all too easy to get bogged down in social media, or low-key gossipping, or worrying rather than trusting God. It’s a lifelong journey to rest in his arms, no matter what, and I need every reminder I get. 

‘Finding God in the fast lane’ is subtitled ‘and also in life’s lay-bys’ (with a punctuation error on the front cover, but it’s hard to read as it’s black text on a dark image). I found the idea of lay-bys in life quite a useful one: of taking a few moments out of the day, whether hectic or relaxed, to concentrate on God. Not just a set ‘quiet time’, but a couple of minutes now and again. Joyce Huggett recommends certain practices that might seem prescriptive, but for many, a regular reminder or set time each hour can be a useful way of getting started with a new habit. 

The book is very well written, with six chapters all loosely titled with journey/driving metaphors. I thought that was a good way of looking at it. I found it straightforward to read, while thought-provoking and challenging too. I also appreciated the references to living in Cyprus, and to needing time alone as I'm another introvert who lives in Cyprus. 

There are questions at the end of each chapter for extra self-reflection. 

This book is intended for Christian believers, whether or not affiliated with a church. Definitely recommended. It's no longer in print, but often available inexpensively second-hand online. 

Review copyright 2025 Sue's Book Reviews

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