“But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.” (2 Timothy 4:5 NLT)

Have you ever felt an urgency to do something?  Lately, I have felt an urgency to write and publish a book with my devotions which number over 500 to date.  I have casually entertained this thought, thinking of leaving my thoughts to my family but never with such “urgency”.  This urgency was brought to life lately, in fact, yesterday as we took our dog Peppy in for shots.  That’s when I met Carmel, a cute little one-eyed kitten that was up for adoption.  I fell in love with her as she waved her little arm out of the cage she was in to get my attention.  She summoned me with great urgency. She was a light-colored calico that was found with a very badly injured eye that was taken out and was in need of a permanent home.  I was only dissuaded when I thought of her life which could be as long as 20 years and mine which might not be that long.  Talk about a reality check!  Bap, right between the eyes, both of them.  Lord, teach us to number our days!  I passed her up “for now”!  

Today I read a story of urgency.  A true urgency.  I learned about John Harper who was aboard the ill-fated Titanic.  This preacher was on the way to become a preacher of a large congregation in Chicago.  Friends said of him that he was a man who truly craved souls.  On April 15, 1912, as the Titanic hit an iceberg and began to sink he placed his 6-year-old daughter on a lifeboat and began to share the gospel with anyone who would listen.  The icy water did not stop this urgency to reach as many souls as he could before he succumbed to hypothermia and slipped beneath the water.  Four years later a man who called himself the last convert of John Harper, testified of being one of many being saved by hearing Harper’s words, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved”  Act 16:31 KJV.  This man was the last before this saint of God went to meet his Lord.  Lord, give me a craving for souls!  This world is clinging to anything that will keep them afloat and are in great need of John Harper’s God.  Lord, give me the urgency to testify of your love and the wonderful plan you have for those who choose to be saved.

Wait for me “Carmel” I haven’t given up yet, I may still be your furever home!

Jeanie Nihiser
Volunteer and Prayer Warrior with Answers2Prayer Ministries
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)