Hurry or Urgency?
This devotional was written by Robin Dugall
And immediately coming up out of the water, He (Jesus) saw the heavens opening…and immediately the Spirit impelled Him to go out into the wilderness…and immediately they left their nets…and immediately He called them…
— Mark 1:10, 12, 18, 20 (NASB)
No one would debate that we live in a world that is filled with hurry. We hurry here and there at a frantic pace. Think through your own life for a few moments. Are you in such a rush through your day that you hardly accomplish anything? Is your time with your kids filled more with "headlines" than with deep, meaningful conversations? Was your most intimate time with your spouse the last time you said "I love you" over your cell phone? When was the last time you had some time just to talk with one of your closest friends? Do you even have close friends? Is hurry a problem in your life?
In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus seems to be in a hurry. In one chapter alone, the word, "immediately" is used over nine different times. In fact, throughout the Gospel of Mark, it appears that Jesus is on the run through all sorts of events and relationships. Still, do not make the mistake of assuming Jesus was in a hurry. He wasn't. For Jesus, there was a difference between hurry and urgency. Jesus felt urgency for things that were important. He knew His priorities; He knew why He was on earth; He knew the ministry that He had initiated and how it was going to change people's lives. He may have sensed urgency about the things of the Kingdom of God, but He did not hurry through life. He still had time for deep, personal relationships and life events that led to the changing of human history.
God calls us to a sense of urgency, not hurry. We need to be clear about how God put us together with special gifts, talents, abilities and how He wants us to use those abilities to His glory. God calls us to deep relationships that add value to our lives. There are people, situations, circumstances and events that urgently need our full and complete attention. To hurry through them will only contribute to a feeling of futility and meaninglessness.
Today, intentionally strive to be aware of the significance of every moment and every person God brings across your path. This awareness of urgency can lead us to a place where God will use us in powerful ways.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Do you suffer from hurry sickness? What does this "illness" do to your life? What is God calling you to do about it?
2. What relationships or circumstances need your most urgent attention?
FURTHER READING:
Matthew 6:25-33; Revelation 1:3; Revelation 2:1-7; Psalm 18
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