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Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Mark 1:35 NKJV
In 1967, Charles E. Hummel published “The Tyranny of the Urgent,” a pamphlet that became a time-management classic. He wrote, “Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important.”
Hummel’s essay promoted new commitments in managers, pastors, and other leaders who were well aware they had become consumed by the “urgent.” In today’s reading Jesus visiting a “solitary place, where he prayed,” pointing out the method He used to avoid the energy-sapping tyranny that inconveniences most believers.
As God in human flesh, Jesus experienced the urgencies you do. He knew, more than you ever could, what it felt like to have crowds of people need Him. Helping was easy in His divinity, but not in His humanity (Philippians 2:5-8). Jesus needed times a of prayer. These times reminded Him that His purpose on earth required leaving one crowd full of “urgent” needs to minister to another (Mark 1:38). Christians need the reminder too.
Does the tyranny of the urgent keep you from helping your family, wife, church friends, or neighbors? If so, schedule regular time in a solitary place to talk things over with God. He will help you avoid allowing the urgent to crowd out the important.
Prayer: Father, free me from every tyranny that keeps me from helping the people You want me to help.
In 1967, Charles E. Hummel published “The Tyranny of the Urgent,” a pamphlet that became a time-management classic. He wrote, “Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important.”
Hummel’s essay promoted new commitments in managers, pastors, and other leaders who were well aware they had become consumed by the “urgent.” In today’s reading Jesus visiting a “solitary place, where he prayed,” pointing out the method He used to avoid the energy-sapping tyranny that inconveniences most believers.
As God in human flesh, Jesus experienced the urgencies you do. He knew, more than you ever could, what it felt like to have crowds of people need Him. Helping was easy in His divinity, but not in His humanity (Philippians 2:5-8). Jesus needed times a of prayer. These times reminded Him that His purpose on earth required leaving one crowd full of “urgent” needs to minister to another (Mark 1:38). Christians need the reminder too.
Does the tyranny of the urgent keep you from helping your family, wife, church friends, or neighbors? If so, schedule regular time in a solitary place to talk things over with God. He will help you avoid allowing the urgent to crowd out the important.
Prayer: Father, free me from every tyranny that keeps me from helping the people You want me to help.
