What's Your Hurry?

My dad is generally unruffled.  He is deliberative and wise.  He considers situations with appropriate care and chooses how to respond.  He's the calm one in stressful situations.

Most of the time, anyway.

Apparently when my brother broke his leg and started yelling, my dad moved faster than any of us kids had ever seen.  There was something wrong with his son, and he was going to get there.  We are a priority to him, and when he heard Don's voice, he knew something was wrong, which created a sense of urgency.  He hurried.

Pastor Joel preached today on the "Grunts" in the Advent story: the shepherds.  Context is important, of course, so here is a really quick description of where we're at in the story...

Veronica lighting
the Advent candles

Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem for the census, and Mary gave birth to Jesus while there.  Shepherds in nearby fields were working as usual when an angel appeared and told them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in clothes and lying in a manger."  Then, suddenly, there were many angels present and praising God.  When the angels left, the shepherds decided together to go to Bethlehem and check out for themselves what the angels had said.

"So they hurried off..." (Luke 2:16)

The shepherds had received some really good news, and Pastor Joel talked (audio available -- listen or download) about what they did with that news.  For me, in this season, one thing Joel said today particularly caught my attention:  The shepherds were urgent about what was important.

This time of year brings many things that feel urgent.  There are trees to put up, homes to decorate, parties to attend, cards to send, gifts to prepare, plans to finalize, and so forth.  Not to mention the usual (and unusual) responsibilities at home and work.  Not all of them are equally important, though.

I can be flexible on most of my to-do list, really, as long as I stay focused on what is most important.  The big two non-negotiables?  God and the people in my life.

There isn't much reason to hurry, really.  God has given me all the time I need to accomplish all that He has for me.  And that is enough.