Sense of Urgency

I've been feeling an extreme sense of urgency lately. I've been blessed to not have to deal with a whole lot of death in my life. It's always seemed like such a sad thing because one minute someone is here and living and the next minute they are just gone. I've always felt like I didn't really understand it completely. In the past week, I've lost a couple of people that were significant in my life and my childhood dog died as well. Wow, my gut seems like it can't get punched in any more.
So, this led to a lot of thinking on my part. Instead of feeling sad about people dying, I feel sad that I don't know FOR SURE that they are in Heaven. I wouldn't call it a feeling of guilt, but rather a feeling of "why am I not out there telling people about Jesus EVERY single opportunity I have?" Who cares if they get mad at me now or are offended? How mad will they be if they are in HELL wishing someone would have told them?

I think when you start to really see the reality of death and what you will have in Heaven, death is an exciting thing!! People tell me and Bryan that they don't really know how we are getting through such a situation without being sad all the time. Don't get me wrong, there are moments that I am driving in my car and I just burst into sobbing tears. I'm human......But, when I realized what is really happening here, it brings me great joy. Bryan recently said this and I just love it!!!
"if you get upset, just think about Eden never having to feel pain, never having to go through the stresses of physical life. She never has to watch wars, oil spills, kids being mean on a playground. She has eternal backstage passes to all the best concerts. Court side seats to the basketball games. Literally Skybox seats to every event we could ever imagine. As a bonus, we have someone to greet us at the gates. Just imagine getting to meet Eden and Jesus the same day! These are the things to focus on."
How could that not make you smile??? It is beyond our understanding but it is God's plan, and it is divine.

I'd like to share a verse that has helped me this week......
Philippians 4:10-19
¹⁰I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Paul wrote these words from a prison cell—a place of great physical discomfort. From a human perspective, we would all agree that God should have provided for Paul by relieving his suffering. But instead, the Lord taught him contentment in this difficult situation. Although his physical discomfort remained, a greater need for a changed attitude was met.

A change of heart toward ongoing suffering is a huge challenge. On our own, it's impossible, but the Lord promises to strengthen us through Christ. By living in dependence and submission to Him, we gain His power to overcome our negative, sinful attitudes and learn contentment in all kinds of situations.

Our problem is not that the Lord won't provide for us, but that we so often fail to understand what our deepest needs are. God sees from an unlimited perspective and works for our eternal good, providing for us according to His good purposes from the limitless supply of "His riches in glory."

So, my friends, this is what I've been working on. I have asked God for strength in a time of difficulty and he has given it to me beyond any degree I could have imagined.