Urgent Not Unproductive
Righteous urgency is an important aspect to living a life of impact. Never put off until tomorrow what the difference you can make today.
“In accordance with the Lord’s command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion in Judah—Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron...Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Aksah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher.” Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Aksah to him in marriage. One day when she came to Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What can I do for you?” She replied, “Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water.” So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs."
Joshua 15:13, 16-19, 63
There comes a time where we have to make a decision whether to step up or sit out. For Othniel, the time came sooner than later. Caleb issued a challenge that whoever would step up and lead the charge against the opposition would receive the blessing of his daughter's hand in marriage. One could take time to discuss the antiquated concepts of the way marriage was done in ancient cultures, but there is a deeper lesson to be learned. Caleb was not just offering up his daughter as a prize. Rather, he was testing the hearts of the people to see who was worthy of his daughter. He was looking for a man who was courageous, selfless, and obedient to the call. His daughter was not a byproduct, but would be most blessed to be in relationship with someone who was like her father. How does your life reflect your heavenly father? Where are you called to step you courageously?
Othniel chose to step up and it changed his destiny. He could have waited to see if someone else would take on the challenge. Don't we often do that? Don't we wait to see if we are asked to do something rather than being quick to volunteer. God is looking for people who will step out with a sense of urgency. There is a mindset that the time is now and time is short that propels some people into their divine destiny. Is this your mindset?
Caleb's daughter lived with the same boldness. Jesus says you have not because you ask not. He said ask and you will receive. Long before Jesus lived, Caleb's daughter felt the urgency to ask for what she wanted which was a place where the water flowed freely. She wanted to be planted in a place that would produce fruit. Some of us have settled down in dry places and need to reconsider where we are. Have you considered the fruit your life is bearing? Have you sought to be rooted in Christ so that you would have a greater impact?
“I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever. For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good.”
Psalms 52:8-9
There is a balance between the urgency of today and the promise of tomorrow. David shows us what the perfect balance looks like with a heart that is devoted to God. He says he is rooted in the house of God. Everything starts with the foundation we have in Jesus. The very imagery that he uses is one that relies on God's strength so that his life will produce food that nourishes others. What are you producing that will nourish someone else?
He declares today that He trusts God with his tomorrow because God is trustworthy. David chooses to praise before he sees an answer to his prayers. What do you think he meant when he said I trust in God's unfailing love? How would that have changed the way he lived? How does that change ours? Trust is demonstrated through the actions of how we live not the words we use.
David says his hope is in the name of God. Hope in the Hebrew is a very different word than we use in modern English. Hope in that time was expectation. There was an urgency expectation that God would do what God does. We often use the word hope like a wish. We say things like I hope it works out. David wasn't wishing. He was doing what God called him to that day expecting God would provide for his tomorrow.
“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine...Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession?”
Song of Songs 6:2-3, 9-10
Everything in our lives is meant to be shaped by relationship. There is a big difference between my mother asking me to do something and a stranger. If a stranger asks me to complete a task, I might if it is convenient and appropriate. If my mother asks me to do something, you better believe it is going to happen as soon as possible.
Wisdom tells us to see how we should live in light of our relationship with Jesus. Solomon and his love say that they belong to each other. If one of them makes a request or asks for something, the other would be expected to respond. Solomon wrote who is like the dawn, the moon, the sun, and the stars. It is good for us to remember that we are in relationship with the Creator of all things and yet He personally cares for each of us uniquely. His love should produce an appreciation within our hearts that lights the fire of urgency to do His will.
“This is what the Lord says: “For three sins of Judah, even for four, I will not relent. Because they have rejected the law of the Lord and have not kept his decrees, because they have been led astray by false gods, the gods their ancestors followed...They sell the innocent for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals. They trample on the heads of the poor as on the dust of the ground and deny justice to the oppressed. I brought you up out of Egypt and led you forty years in the wilderness to give you the land...I also raised up prophets from among your children...The swift will not escape, the strong will not muster their strength, and the warrior will not save his life. The archer will not stand his ground, the fleet-footed soldier will not get away, and the horseman will not save his life. Even the bravest warriors will flee naked on that day,” declares the Lord.”
Amos 2:4, 6-8, 10-12, 14-16
It is almost like God recites how the actions of the people reflected how little they loved Him as the reason they will suffer the consequences of their choices. The lives of the people did not show hearts faithful and devoted. They did not live with an expectation that there would be a day of judgment or duty to be faithful. How do these truths about how they lived hit you? Is there anywhere you have been complacent or apathetic where God calls you to be courageous and active?
In the book of John, Jesus said how can you say you love God if you do not show love to the people in front of you. The way in which we treat the needy and poor, our neighbors and those oppose us, reflect more about how much we love God than whether or not we say we love God. God gives a reminder that it is by his mercy alone that we are redeemed. Truth says it is not because you are fast, strong, or skilled that you save your life. It is because of my mercy and love.
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life...those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.”
Titus 3:1-10, 14
The key to this passage is the same key that we saw in the writing of David and the desire of Caleb's daughter. Rooting yourself in the love of Christ is what will produce the desire and urgency to live for Him. Paul says it is when the kindness and love of God our savior appeared and saved us because of his mercy that we experienced a washing of rebirth and renewal of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said the person forgiven much, loves much. First we are rooted, then we are reborn, then live out our new lives empowered by the Holy Spirit. The order in which we walk through these is critical to keeping the joy of serving and urgency of impact.
Many people have tried to do the right things but have found themselves on dry ground, worn out and weary in doing good. Paul says stay rooted in your relationship and remember everything we have is a gift from God. Some of us today need to go back to the roots and remember that God wants to fill your cup before you fill others. Some of us need to experience the washing rebirth that purifies our hearts and produces space for the Holy Spirit to fill us. Some of need to know that the Holy Spirit is here to help and will give us the desire and the power to do every good work that God has prepared. Where is your heart today? What could help you most?
Paul says devote yourself to doing what is good in order to provide for urgen needs and not live unproductive lives. We live in a world where it is way too easy to isolate, stay comfortable, and procrastinate. This is not the life that God has called you to live. There is work to be done and needs to be met, but the reason why you do the work matters more than anything. God cares about the state of your heart and wants to grow your trust in Him. This all starts by rooting yourself in Christ, remembering the reason for the hope in which you now stand, and living with expectation that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead will demonstrate the resurrection power in you. What do you want God to do in you? What does God want to do in and through you? Will you live with expectation and urgency? Is your heart open to being used by God for God? Othniel chose to step up and God blessed his obedience. He will do the same thing for you as you step into this moment and believe in the power at work within you.