Urgent. This word conjures up so many thoughts, feelings, emotions. When I read that word, or hear it spoken, I sense that there is something that must be done, and it must be done yesterday! Like getting the kids to school on time, or making it to the hospital when a parishioner has been taken to the emergency room. Or perhaps it is more like when you look down at the inspection sticker in the corner of the windshield, and you realize that what you should have done two months ago is now two months overdue. Urgency is that which is pressing, vital, or crucial. It is imperative that something must be done, and that it be done with expediency.
It is amazing how many things we allow in life to have that claim of “urgent.” Appointments, deadlines, crises, and the like, seem to zap our attention and energy. We seem to get “sucked into” the vortex of that which cannot wait. And we are exhausted from trying to keep up.
Time management gurus would have us believe that much of what is claiming our attention as “urgent” really isn’t. Or more to the point, can be avoidable, or rearranged so as to not be so pressing. “Better planning,” as they say, “prevents crises.” While there is obvious truth to this concept (I have yet to figure out who “they” are, much less how one can plan to avoid all crises!), there are also flaws. Sometimes events happen that do not lend themselves to much advanced planning.
And yet, there are some things that will forever be urgent, especially when contemplating the eternal. There is nothing so urgent as the salvation of a soul. Paul talked about the urgency of the Gospel message in his letter to the Romans.
“For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (Romans 10:13-17)
If we are serious about our faith, we know that there is nothing more important to us than what is most important to God. If God cares about the least, the last, and the lost, how can we care any less? To love God with all our being (our heart, mind, soul, and strength) is to love what God loves (love our neighbors as we love our selves). This is the urgency of the gospel. This the motive behind Jesus’ teachings and commands to “follow” him. There is nothing more urgent than this – for all eternity is at risk for that one soul who has never heard.
Our task as Christians (not just pastors!) is to share this gospel with as many people as possible – so that every person has an opportunity to be reconciled to God and to experience new life in Jesus Christ. It is our urgent task. Anything less is busy work.
See you in Church!
Grace and peace,
Brad
