Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; they they will not be unproductive. -Titus 3:14 NLT
Read it once, it sounds great!
But read it twice and you go "Whoa! Wait!"
Productive.
What comes to mind when you hear that word?
To-Do list, deadlines, writing letters, making phone calls, mopping floors, grocery shopping, mow the lawn, the list goes on and on.
Each check mark earns us a productive point, no?
But hold the horses, this verse says productive lives come by meeting the urgent needs of others. How does that work?
Let's all admit, it can be frustrating when someone interrupts our focused, get-it-done attitude with a request, right?
It seems contrary to think we can be more productive by fulfilling those little interruptions, doesn't it?
But then...I think therein lies the point.
We serve a God who operates on a different 'economy system', a Kingdom that is contrary.
Me, I and My rule in the kingdom of To-Do-Lists and productivity, but His Kingdom To-Do-List reads more like this,
"Feed my sheep..." (John 21:17)
"Love one another..." (John 13:34)
"Encourage each other...." (1 Thess. 5:11, Heb. 3:13)
"Pray for one another..." (James 5:16)
At the end of the day the floor may still be muddy, but the waters of someone's heart clear.
That delicious meal you planned may have been replaced with sandwiches, but the family that just lost a loved one need not worry because you took time to feed their hurting hearts as well their bellies.
You may not home as soon as you wanted after a crazy day at work, but at least that lady didn't walk home in the rain 'cause you gave her a ride.
In a Father's economy, He sees after all of His children. And He lets us help!
Through the process, we lose 'self', lose fear, lose mistrust, and that sounds like spiritual productiveness doesn't it?
This thing is a two way street.
Hope to see you on it. :)
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