Another year just started, and I find myself in a more reflective state these past few days. The Facebook compilation of pictures captured the last year in a quick collection of photos and sent my mind reeling. Where did the year go? It seems that each year passes more quickly than the previous one and I find it hard to believe that we have closed out another year. It seemed like yesterday that I put the Christmas tree away and rang in 2022 and now it is over. I’ve become like so many others before me wishing that time would slow down but knowing that it doesn’t. My sweet grandmother used to tell me how fast time passes, and I couldn’t understand it. Now, I find myself realizing that she was right. Life is a vapor! The writer James stated it so eloquently “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth (James 4:14).

Here we all are in the beginning of a new year.  January 2023! As I enter this year though, I find my thoughts stirred more than any other year. One word remains heavily impressed upon my spirit. It's simply the term "Urgency". Sitting on the couch pondering the 2023, I asked my husband "What does the term urgency mean to you?" Promptly he replied, Something that needs immediate attention. Is this your definition or Webster's, I asked sheepishly. Truthfully, I agreed with him immediately. 

My mind went back to two weeks previously. It was cold and dark as I sat next to Olivia, my thirteen-year-old daughter, waiting on the ambulance. In that moment, I felt the need for extreme urgent attention. It was the first day of Christmas break and we had been enjoying a little shopping. Right before dinner time, she began to complain that she “wasn’t feeling well”. I noticed her facial expression looked off to me. Within just moments, I watched as she began to complain of her vision being changed, and weakness and numbness spread along her whole right side leaving her unable to grip my hand. Next, her speech became confused and aphasic. Coming from a background of ICU nursing, the differentials went through my mind quickly.  At the time, I didn’t know it was a hemiplegic migraine, I just knew something was very wrong. I sat in a state of worry and felt panic arise. I knew that timely intervention was of the utmost importance. Whatever was causing these symptoms needed immediate diagnosis. Each second felt too long as we headed to the hospital that night. I felt like there was no time to waste. 

That urgent feeling is what I want to share in this blog today. Since that night, I have been stirred with the urgency of the hour for the church. Jesus told us over and over that He would go to prepare a place for us but that He would return for us.

Tonight, as I write to all of us at Summit Pentecostal Church, I again feel such an urgency in my spirit. This time, I feel impressed that we are nearing the return of our precious Lord and Savior and we must share the news of Jesus. It’s time to awake from sleep and realize that His return is soon. It is 2023! Could this be the year for the Lord to return? Have we shared the Gospel with everyone, or do we think we have plenty of time later for sharing? My spirit feels the urgent need to not waste another second. The scripture keeps flowing through my mind "I must work the works of him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work". Every second matters! Every prayer service, every bible study, every time we pass a hurting soul at the store! The night is approaching just like the closing to the door of the Ark so many years ago. Soon the night will come, and darkness will be upon the earth. We must work while it is day and capitalize on every moment! Every soul matters and every second counts. God Bless and Be Prosperous and About His Business in 2023!