Saturday, March 12, 2011

Saturday - March 12

Daily Readings for Saturday, March 12, 2011



14And let people learn to devote themselves to good works in order to meet urgent needs, so that they may not be unproductive. --From Titus, chapter 3.

The book of Titus is a letter written by the apostle Paul to Titus. It's not a letter to a church, but to an individual. Titus has been under the tutelage of Paul, but the time has come for them to depart. Paul has left Titus behind in Crete with a group of believers who will begin that task of "being community." The letter is filled with advice for young Titus as he begins this endeavor.

Towards the end of the letter, Paul instructs Titus to "let the people learn to devote themselves to good works" It's an interesting leadership strategy - to let people learn. It seems rather passive; not teach the people or instruct the people...but let them learn. I know that from my experience, sometimes more is learned through trail and error than through instruction.

But what I find most interesting in this brief command is that the people learn in order to meet urgent needs. The word urgent jumps out at me. It's not basic needs; it is urgent needs.

I have used a couple of (although somewhat trite) sayings to help keep me grounded throughout my ministry. Most weeks, I am busy (but I don't believe that is an affliction that only clergy suffer, most people I know are busy - in fact - many of us (and I'm certainly guilty of this) wear our busyness as a badge, somehow justifying our selfworth and importance). But it's true. I am busy. Many days there are more things left undone on my "to do" list then there are crossed off (I figure it's job security, right?!?). But whenever I get so busy that I feel overwhelmed, I give myself the space to step back and evaluate my priorities. Because I believe that if I am doing the things that I am called to be doing then there will be enough time in the day. I believe that God so ordered the world that there is the rhythm of day and night, of weeks and seasons and years. And I believe that God has a claim and a calling in my life. And I believe that God intends for me to live out (live into?) my vocation. And so, when I'm not getting it all done, I step back and evaluate and make sure that I am doing the right things. Maybe I am learning how to devote myself to good works (living out my calling) so that urgent needs are met (living into my vocation).

And that's not to say that I get it right all the time. For me, part of the evaluation process is learning how to be more efficient, prioritize better, and make better/more faithful decisions. And always, listening for God's guidance and assurance that what I am doing is what God intends for my life.

What it might look like if the church (and her members, me included), might learn to be better devoted to good works and meeting urgent needs?

Dear God, thank you for the opportunity to continue to learn how to devote my life to your good works. Help me to recognize the urgent needs that you are calling me to meet in my own life, witness, and ministry. Help me to have confidence in your sure and certain guidence as I listen to your voice and live my life in grateful response to your love, grace, and mercy. Amen.

John C
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