10/20/05
Encouragement for Today:
“The Urgency of the Moment”
Marie Ogram, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
Power Verse:
Matthew 25:13, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” (NIV)
Devotion:
The sunny lunch hour began like many other days in the parking lot at work. I sat in my van overlooking the peaceful duck pond with meticulously manicured trees and lush green grass cascading around it. I could hear the birds sweetly chirping while the gentle sound of nearby traffic hummed in the background. This serene setting literally came to a screeching halt without warning. First, the squealing of tires, then a brief prayer for no impact, the thunderous CRASH and finally, the dreaded sound of an enormous splash. As I surveyed the surroundings ahead of me, a moment of panic set in — there was an occupied vehicle out in the pond. Then my adrenaline kicked into high gear. THERE WAS AN OCCUPIED VEHICLE OUT IN THE POND! Someone needed my help! Without much more than a moment’s hesitation, I jumped out of my vehicle leaving behind an open window, unlocked door, purse on the seat and began sprinting as quickly as my rounding aging body would carry me. Almost stumbling and falling at one point, I remembered I might need to lead someone to safety, and continued in my lumbering sprint to the edge of the water. As I reached the shore at the far end of the pond, the forty-something year old man stood with his passenger door wide open – pondering what to do next. When the water began lapping into his open car door the man’s face began to grow more concerned. While I helped this pale man to safety, the adrenaline continued to pump throughout my body. What if I had not been watching? What if he had been badly injured and no one was there to help? What if no one cared?
Several hours later, after reflecting on the chain of events, God began to speak to my heart. Each day there are people surrounding me that are in great danger – fatal danger. Oftentimes I am so caught up in what I am doing that I fail to make the time, or more importantly, TAKE the time to lead them to eternal safety — salvation in Jesus Christ. However, many times I am not willing to be on the lookout, too consumed in my own selfishness to risk the potential rejection to share the Gospel with others — choosing rather to keep on my blinders and perceive the urgent situation as just another day, nursing a feeble hope that someone else will share the Words of Life.
My Prayer for Today:
Dear Lord, please help me to take my eyes off myself today. Allow me to be as passionate as You are and to have Your sense of urgency for the perishing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Think about when someone took the time to share with you about Jesus Christ and what He did for you on the Cross. Record in your journal with whom God may be leading you to share your faith.
Reflection Points:
Who is it that God has placed in your life with whom He is asking you to share the Gospel?
Are you afraid of being rejected for your faith? (Jesus suffered the greatest rejection of all for our benefit.)
How do you think you will be able to recognize a lost person?
Power Verses:
Romans 1:16, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. “ (NIV)
Romans 10:14-15, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (NIV)
Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (NIV)
Additional Resources:
Radically Obedient, Radically Blessed, by Lysa TerKeurst
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_radicallyObedient.htm
The Art of Helping, by Lauren Littauer Briggs
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_artHelping.htm
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith, by Lysa TerKeurst
http://proverbs31.gospelcom.net/newresources_whatHappens.htm
Originally published Thursday, 20 October 2005.
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