Sabbath Reflection – Urgency

I hope that each of you had as an inspiring Feast as I did in Morehead City.  The messages were all very good and one thing that struck me every day was that time before Christ returns is getting close.  Satan is wreaking havoc in our world and it will only get worse.  Are we ready for that day?  Do we have the needed sense of urgency that we must have in order to make ourselves ready for that day, or will be caught short because we did not have the needed urgency?

It’s obvious that our Adversary is successfully making his presence known in this world today. What we see happening in Europe with the ongoing war in Ukraine as well as the protests in France.  China now appears to have plans of their own to do the same to Taiwan not to mention the ongoing conflict(s) in the Middle East, should grab our attention. In fact, it demands our attention. What we need more than ever as the people of God is an increase sense of urgency. It’s time to wake up and pay attention concerning what’s going on in this world and in our lives (Romans 13:11-14).

That sense of urgency is at the foundation of what motivates us to take notice of our situation. It’s a vital part of the process of stirring one into action. It’s also pivotal in connecting us closer in our relationship with God, which keep us focused on our hope and engaged in the building of our faith.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” This statement should hold value to us. We’ve learned over our life and especially as of late, that sometimes, tomorrow may not come as expected or even come at all. The words of Proverbs 6:6-11 concerning the Ant and the Sluggard, speaks to this as well. A sense of urgency helps us prioritize what’s most important in our lives. It helps us analyze what actually happening and how to respond.

What we’re witnessing each and every day should help us become more increase in this needed sense of urgency. This is not the time to hide our heads in the sand. We can’t fool ourselves into thinking that what’s happening over in Europe or even in our own Country can’t affect us, because it can and it will.

We have been given the tools to discern the times and the ones who are in these positions of influence and power. We should be filled with a great sense of urgency because we have been preparing for a time such as this! We’ve been taught, we’ve been watching, and now it’s time to act. It’s not time to sleep. It’s not time to head voices that speak of our situation as one of peace and safety, because we know that the signs and prophecies of God point to the fact that a sudden destruction is upon us (1 Thessalonians 5:1-5).

A sense of urgency is quite the opposite of what we see in this world. We see people buying into the lie, people overcome with lethargy, and a people completely ignorant of what’s really happening. For the most this state is brought on by choice, they would rather believe a lie than the truth of God (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

As a people of God, we too have a choice. We have the truth, but what we do with that truth is up to us. Jesus warns in Matthew 24 of what’s expected of those who hold this great honor. This truth gives us the sense of urgency to not only prepare for what’s ahead, but it plays an important part in drawing us closer as the family of God. However, there is a flip side to this choice.

One of the consequences of losing that sense of urgency can lead us to turn on each other. We become careless in how we treat our very own brethren. We can and will develop spiritual lethargy, we’ll begin lowering our standards, which results in the conforming to the culture and the world around us. True Holiness and Godly deference will become lost because we allowed personal preferences to take precedence.

We definitely can’t afford to fall asleep now or lose that sense of urgency. God desires that we awake out of our sleep, gird up our loins, and be spiritually alert. It’s time to hear that call, rally to that source of the calling, and stand with the One who fights for us. If we desire to respond as God requires, if we desire to endure what’s on the horizon, it starts with that sense of urgency!

I wish you a profitable and value filled Sabbath,

Joe Greene 

Pastor for Richmond and Roanoke, Va

(434) 808-2146