This is Not a Drill!

Have you ever had a feeling that something was going on around you, but you just couldn’t put your finger on it? Over the last few weeks, there has been an unsettled, stirring in my spirit. I was having a hard time understanding what it meant, let alone explain it to anyone else. I knew it had to do with the age in which we are right now, eighteen months into a global pandemic, and all that we have come to experience, and understand, of what that truly means. We have been exposed to humanity’s best and worst over this time – not all of it having to do with a virus; some people are just opportunists, looking for a chance to get away with something or force an issue. One thing we’ve all come to learn is that change can happen fast. And not just brief change – seemingly lasting change. More on that in a minute…

The feeling I was harboring was a result of this change, but I wasn’t sure what to do with it, or what it meant. Over time, it started to be associated with a sense of urgency. This wasn’t entirely helpful at first because I didn’t know what “it” even was, let alone what to do with “it” – and now I was starting to feel it had to happen fast!

Finally, about ten days ago I was having a conversation about “it” with a good friend of mine after church on a Wednesday night. It was then that I finally was able to articulate the stirring. We were discussing all the changes we’ve seen and then moved on to the, what are we supposed to do with all of it part of the conversation. Then it hit me, the words that have been ringing in my ears ever since… This is not a drill!!! Whenever I hear the words or nudge of the Holy Spirit it gets my attention (this is, of course, what living unfiltered for God is all about), but this was a little more intense than usual.

The times we are living in are unlike any we have seen or experienced before. Prior to the last year and a half, stuff would happen that would make us say, “this is crazy”, or “this can’t be!” but the feeling would fade, and we would get back to normal. Over time, I think we’ve become complacent at best, or apathetic at worst. We just don’t seem to be fazed by much anymore. This has been our undoing. And I believe God is telling us it’s time for this, and some other things, to change.

I have come to liken this sense of urgency to the way the crowd reacted to Peter’s first sermon…

“Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:36-41 NIV)

I especially like the even more urgent language that the Message paraphrase uses…

Cut to the quick, those who were there listening asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers! Brothers! So now what do we do?” (v.37 MSG)

Peter said, “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (v.38 MSG)

He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, “Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!” (v.40 MSG)

“Get out of this sick and stupid culture.” Wow. Now I really am starting to see why this passage is resonating with me so much these days.

Well, what if you can’t really get out of this culture? And what if you’ve already turned to God, been baptized, and received the Holy Spirit? Then what? If this is the case, then I believe we have to go back to the first three words of verse 38, “change your life.” (If you have not done the turning to God part, or been baptized, or received the Holy Spirit, please see the note at the bottom of this post.)

Let’s take a little side-trip down the road of what it means to change. Or, more specifically, how change can come about. Depending on the context and/or application, there are all sorts of ways to dissect change, but for our purposes here I’m going to propose that there are three origins of change, and the last one is where we will put our focus.

Change that is brought on by God’s sovereign will. This is where things change because God made it happen. God is behind it, He caused it, and we react and respond accordingly. And everyone is in the same boat. Please note that I’m not saying God himself changes, but rather He is the one who is causing the change that is impacting us. Do you believe in miracles? You should! And when a miracle takes place, it is God moving. And He’s the only one that can make miracles happen.

Change that is imposed by man. This is where one man or woman, or group, decides to make a change and the rest of us must respond and adhere, often at the risk of consequences of not doing so. We have seen this in full force the last eighteen months. So much imposed change. So quickly. And there are those who don’t want us to ever go back. It’s this kind of change that I believe is at the root of my urgent realization that this is not a drill!

Change that God prompts in each of us. This is where it gets real. This is where we have to be tuned in to His voice and really listen for his nudges and promptings. This is where living unfiltered for Him comes into play. God knows everything about the first two aspects of change. Whether He ordained it or allowed it to happen, He is well aware of where we are and what is going on around us. So, who better to consult about what we need to do about it? How is it we are supposed to “change (y)our life?” Praying and asking, “What would you have me do, Lord?” is a great place to start.

In a different conversation with another friend recently, I shared what I think the change(s) we are all supposed to consider making, at this time. Take a hard look at what you consider to be the main purpose(s) of your life. If you don’t know what those are, then there is step number one! Figure that out – ask God for help with that. Ask the people closest to you. Talk to a counselor if necessary. But, by all means, quit trying to go through life without knowing your purpose!

If you are aware of but not walking in your purpose, then get to it! Time is short and the time is now. What are you waiting for? Need I say it again? This is not a drill!!!

If you do consider yourself to be currently walking in your purpose, then what? There are several options. First, you can do more of what you’re supposed to be doing. Or you can do it with more intentionality. Take it more seriously. Take it to the next level. Only you (with a little help from God) will know what that looks like.

Second, you may need to make some minor adjustments to how you are pursuing your purpose. Maybe some slight course corrections to, again, refocus you, to be more effective at what God has put in your path.

And third, it’s possible that there are other items competing for your time and attention. Is there something that you tend to spend time and effort on that is completely unrelated to your purpose? I don’t mean watching a ball game or playing golf occasionally, but if you’re playing golf three or four times a week or spending every night in front of the television watching games, then you may need to rethink your priorities a bit. (I think I just heard someone squeal from their toes being stepped on. Sorry, not sorry.)

So, have you felt this sense of urgency yet? If not before reading this, how about now? If you haven’t, I suspect you will. And when you do, you’re going to have to ask yourself some questions and make some changes. My prayer is that we would all be able to say, along with Jesus:

“but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father.” (John 14:31 NLT)

NOTE: If you have not yet “turned to God” and given your life to Jesus, I encourage you to do so today, right now. You can begin by sincerely praying this prayer…

Father, I recognize that I am a sinner in need of your forgiveness, grace and mercy. I repent of my sins and believe in my heart that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins so that I could have eternal life along with Him. Father, I want to follow you and live my life for you. Come into my heart Lord Jesus. Thank you, Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, congratulations! Now, tell someone, and start reading the Bible and digging into His word. If you are not part of a church that preaches and teaches the uncompromised word of God, find one and join a community of fellow believers. And, I would love it if you would share the good news of your decision with me! (You can message me via the social media links below.)