I just went to a news website. I saw that the Senate passed the coronavirus stimulus package. Here is a quote from the article:

 “We packed weeks or perhaps months of the legislative process into five days.”

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y

That statement caught me attention. There were other things that caught my attention (like how some of the money is going to be used), but that’s not my focus of this blog. My focus is how quickly things were done. Five days instead of months! I know, I know, it’s not always a good thing when bills are passed quickly. There can certainly be long-term consequences in the future.

But something I’m seeing through this pandemic is how quickly things are being done. That’s a good thing. A crisis should cause people to move with a sense of urgency. I think about the movie Apollos-13 and how NASA had to come up with a solution fast for its astranuats who were in trouble.

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

I also think about the Israelites in the Old Testament. In particular, I think about the book of Nehemiah. There was a major problem. The wall of Jerusalem needed to be rebuilt.

“They said to me, ‘The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and reproach, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates are burned with fire.’”

Nehemiah 1:3

There should have been a sense of urgency. It should have been done FAST! But it wasn’t! It took a man like Nehemiah to get God’s people moving.

“I told them how the hand of my God had been favorable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me. Then they said, ‘Let us arise and build.’ So they put their hands to the good work.”

Nehemiah 2:18

As Christians, it’s time to Arise and Build! Yes, we’re experiencing a pandemic. But the work doesn’t stop. Now, more than ever, people need the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Now is the time for ACTION. And FAST. It’s time to talk to people about Jesus. Right now! The world has stopped. People have more time to consider life. There are people who need direction. We have the truth. Let’s share it with them. Now is the time to TALK. ACT. NOW.

“And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, ‘Do not be afraid any longer; but go on speaking and do not be silent; for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.’”

Acts 18:9-10

Paul needed to be reminded of a few things. So do we.

  1. Don’t be afraid any longer. Christians often fear sharing their faith. Let us walk by faith with our shield of faith.
  2. Go on speaking and do not be silent. Paul needed to keep on speaking in Corinth. We need to keep on speaking wherever we may be. Speak of God in your conversations with others. Pray with others. Tell people you’re praying for them. Ask people to study the scriptures with you. Follow up with visitors on the phone from your home. Keep teaching your children the scriptures. Go on speaking and do not be silent!
  3. I have many people in this city. Paul was able to convert many in the city of Corinth. Where are you reading this? Wherever you may be, there are many people in your city who are in need of the gospel.

Let’s move with a sense of urgency! Nehemiah and the people rebuilt the wall in 52 Days! That was fast. They knew God was with them. They had a mind to work. Great things were accomplished. Let’s have the mindset. It’s time to arise and build! It’s time to shine! It’s time to share! It’s time to turn the world upside down with the gospel.

Let’s be SOWERS and REAPERS. And let’s remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3:6 “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.”

Our Great God is with us!