Emergency, Urgency
Scripture Reading — Genesis 19:1-29
"Flee for your lives! Don't look back ... or you will be swept away!" Genesis 19:17
Do we understand the danger? Do we have a sense of urgency? One problem with issuing hurricane warnings and not having a hurricane strike an area is that the next time a warning is given, people are less apt to listen. Instead of preparing for danger, people figure the storm will bypass them.
"Be prepared!" is the motto of a man I met who had served on a military base in Japan. As someone who had survived more than one typhoon, he had little patience for people who didn't heed warnings. He recalled having food because they'd bought ice and packed it in coolers. And they had water because they'd filled a bathtub with fresh water before a storm struck.
Most of us, however, usually live without a sense of urgency. We figure we can make changes "someday."
Lot was told of the danger coming to Sodom. His sons-in-law laughed at him. His wife couldn't quite believe it, so she turned back to see for herself. In just a few moments, Lot's entire life changed.
I don't know what situation or emergency you may be facing today. What I do know is that we're one day closer to the Lord's return. I know there are people in our world who are not prepared. I also know God calls us to witness to the truth of his coming and to invite people to rely on him now--for eternity.
Dear God, help us make the most of our time and relationships in sharing about your love and mercy through Jesus Christ. In his name we pray. Amen.
About the author — Julius T. Medenblik
Rev. Jul Medenblik is a former attorney who was called to pastoral ministry and became the founding pastor of a church in New Lenox, Illinois. He is currently serving as president of Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Jul and his wife, Jackie, are blessed with a son, Joshua, and a daughter, Julianne.
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