Motivated by Urgency

If you were in a burning building, what would you grab?

To me, this has always been a theoretical, but very telling question. What crosses your mind in the immediacy of those moments?

Tonight was our induction into the reality of the times - and the lives of Israelis over the years. Rocket strikes from Gaza are a common occurrence in the Negev, but a rocket hasn't hit Beer Sheva since 2009. We were in the middle of our Bible Study on the return of the King when sirens started going off - I would not have known to react to these sirens (very similar to tornado warning bells) if the others in our group hadn't jumped up, exclaiming, "That's not good!" and running for the door. The adrenaline surge we'd been talking about in Pharmacology hit and my sympathetic system fight or flight response kicked in - I hopped off the couch, headed for the door, sprinted back, grabbed my Bible and journal, then ran down the stairs to the (locked) bomb shelter. My "valuables" (wallet, laptop, and phone) never even crossed my mind, all I knew was that I could not lose the precious words the Lord had given me in my prayer journal and Bible - and what a time to be exhorted by scriptures. A minute later we heard two booms, then 5 minutes later we headed back up the stairs. And that was that. The Israelis in a few of the apartments laughed at us for reacting so suddenly and frantically. I'm still sitting here wondering if we'll wake up to more sirens...but ultimately I trust in the Lord's supernatural protection.

Anyway, all of this fell right in line with a discussion I had with my friend Jono today, and then again with the discussions we were having at our small group when the sirens started.

The human frame needs the urgency of the hour in order to passionately walk in obedience and holiness. Humans are designed for passion. Urgency empowers and impassions people to live wholeheartedly.

Knowing our frame, God created the heart to live from the place of urgency without torment. The urgency gives us moral courage & focus, and the signs give us comfort that God is in control and directing all things.

Isn't that the truth?! How often are we asked the question: "If this was your last day on earth, what would you do?" Our instinctual reaction is one of urgency that propels us into our answer - usually something we find holds the most meaning or importance whether that be 'live big and take risks' or 'spend every last cent' or 'be with loved ones and right all the wrongs'. For me, I've always had actual dreams about recklessly pursuing others with the message of the Gospel in love for the Lord. Not kidding, this is my most recurrent dream: the last days on earth and my response.

I truly believe that the Lord instills this spirit of urgency in us as our motivation (in living for Him through our salvation in particular). With the coming of Jesus, the promise of the Kingdom now and not yet left His followers in a constant state of tension. Longing after the finality of perfection, but caught in the present ministry of reconciliation for the broken, a Creation in birth pains for the goodness of what is to come. But the key here is that we are in a state of urgency WITHOUT torment (or fear), because we're given a message of hope and instruction full of promise in His Word!

All of that said, I felt it very important to record the lessons we're learning about the signs of the time and coming Kingdom. Maybe it's just me because I live in Israel, but does anyone else turn on the TV (CNN, etc) and feel like the world is in a state of complete disarray? Earthquakes, wars, civil unrest, every nation surrounding Israel standing up in rebellion for their cause, desiring freedom & peace - just waiting for someone to ride in with THE answer? Maybe this is an acute awareness and sensitivity to the spirit of urgency or maybe it's more, either way take the time to read the next post's list at some point. And pray for safety here too while you're at it. :) Thanks!!

Look for (in the next 2 posts):
1. My little list on signs of the coming Messiah
2. Updates about school and my recent trip to Geneva, Switzerland (!)