Life moves fast. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months, and before we know it, years have passed. The question is: What are we doing with the time we’ve been given? Are we living with a sense of urgency, or are we letting distractions keep us from what truly matters?
Jesus’ Urgent Mission
In Luke 10, Jesus sends out 72 disciples with a mission—to proclaim that the kingdom of God is near. But He doesn’t just send them out with a casual suggestion. He instructs them not to take extra supplies and even tells them not to stop for elaborate greetings on the road. Why? Because the message was urgent.
Jesus wasn’t just giving them something to do—He was showing them reality. People’s response to the message would determine their eternity. And so, the disciples needed to stay focused. There was no time to waste.
If You Had One Month to Live…
If you knew you had one month to live, how would you spend your time? Would you chase after things that won’t last—more work, more entertainment, more comfort? Or would you focus on what truly matters—faith, relationships, and leaving an eternal impact?
Now, ask yourself this: Where does sharing the hope of Jesus rank on that list?
It’s easy to assume we have time. We tell ourselves, “I’ll share my faith when the moment is right,” or “I’ll talk to them about Jesus when life slows down.” But what if tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed? What if that conversation you’ve been avoiding is one of the last opportunities they have to hear the gospel?
Jesus sent His disciples out with urgency because the message was too important to delay. The same is true today. The hope of salvation isn’t just good news—it’s the difference between life and death.
So, if you only had a month left, who would you make sure heard about Jesus? And if they matter then, don’t they matter now?
The Reality We Must Face
Jesus’ message was clear: The kingdom of God is near (Luke 10:9-11). Whether people accepted it or rejected it didn’t change the truth—it only changed their destiny.
That same reality remains today. The world tells us that truth is relative, that we can define our own meaning and purpose. But Jesus stands firm:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Ignoring reality doesn’t change it. Just like ignoring the effects of an unhealthy diet doesn’t change what it does to your body, ignoring Jesus doesn’t change the truth about eternity.
What Are You Focused On?
The disciples came back from their mission amazed. They had seen demons submit to them in Jesus’ name, and they were excited! But Jesus shifts their focus. He tells them not to rejoice in their power, but in the fact that their names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20).
Think about that. Jesus is saying, “Don’t get caught up in temporary victories. Rejoice in what lasts.” The most important thing is not what we accomplish but where we stand with God.
Living with Urgency Today
Jesus’ warning to His disciples should make us pause. Are we focused or distracted? Are we caught up in things that don’t last? Have we convinced ourselves that we have plenty of time to share Jesus with others when, in reality, time is short?
We don’t know how many days we have left, and neither do the people around us. That co-worker, friend, or family member who needs to hear the gospel might not have tomorrow. So why wait?
Questions for Reflection:
- What distractions in your life keep you from living with urgency for God’s kingdom?
- Have you placed your hope in temporary victories or in the eternal reality of knowing Jesus?
- Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus? What’s stopping you from sharing?
A Prayer for Urgency:
God, help us to live with a sense of urgency for Your kingdom. Remove the distractions that keep us focused on temporary things. Give us boldness to share the truth of Jesus with those who need to hear it. And may our greatest joy always be in the fact that our names are written in heaven. Amen.
Let’s not wait. Let’s live with kingdom focus—because the message is urgent, and time is short.