Preparing for the Urgent
Text: Titus 3:12-15
Theme: As a family of faith, we must be ready and willing to meet other people’s urgent needs–not just our own.
Key verses: “As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me…Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives” (v. 12-14).
What God said to me: Dwayne, I see your sneaking. Don’t try to ignore it or justify it. Just die to it. Be holy even as I am holy. Now regarding this passage, this is an important responsibility that you must embrace and model for others. Urgent, quadrant 1 needs do happen. Sometimes no matter how hard one prepares and plans ahead, still they find themselves in an unexpected moment of need and crisis. When I send someone across your path who has such a pressing need, then step into action and up to the plate to help them in any way you can. Life isn’t always comfortable or predictable. Plan ahead and learn to expect the unexpected. At times, what others need of you will feel more like quadrant 3–urgent but not important to you. However, if their need is legitimate and truly important to them, then you should treat it as a quadrant 1 opportunity–urgent and important to you as well as to them.
How do you prepare yourselves for such crisis moments? Paul said devote yourself to doing what is good, all the time. When you live in mindset of helping others and putting others before yourself, then opportunities to help will feel more like a joy than a frustration.
What I said to God: Thank You Father for speaking so clearly and precisely to me this morning. I cherish these moments with You in Your Word. If you send someone our way to help today, please remind me of this passage and of Your Words to me. May me and my family always respond with love and helpfulness to those who need it. I want to live a productive life for Your glory. I want to be a vessel You can use to bless others along the way.