You Were Made for Moreنموونە

The Fast

Message

So many times in the Bible, we see that response time makes all of the difference. Think about how Samuel answered immediately when he was called. And look at the blessing that came up upon his life because of it.

Remember, too, the story of the spies that went to discover the land God was about to give his people. All of them except Joshua and Caleb came back afraid, paralyzed, and not ready to respond to the challenge. They came back questioning whether they could move forward. And their fear of taking action led to decades of wandering in a wild wilderness.

In today’s verse from 1 Samuel, this is the fourth time God has called Samuel. Samuel responded each of the first three times, but didn’t realize it was God reaching out to him. So Samuel was responding quickly. But his response only became fruitful when it was quick and intentional. He answered quickly, and he said, “Lord, your servant hears.” He addressed God as a servant. He recognized the voice. The difference between quick, unintentional communication and quick, intentional communication is often the difference between doing normal things and doing greater things.

We found the top performers that we studied have an uncanny bias toward responding quickly and intentionally. The rest of us? Well, the rest of us are pretty horrible at getting back to one another. We studied sales professions, dating services, every imaginable scenario where people would be rewarded by responding quickly. And what did we find? People are slow to get back to one another.

But even more significant, because we are so bad at getting back to people, when we do receive a rapid and intentional response from another human, it catches our attention. If you want to stand out in the crowd at work, just get back to people quickly and intentionally. If you want people to be amazed at how you carry yourself, and perhaps be curious to learn what drives you, respond to people quickly and intentionally.

Steps

Take these action steps today. First, think how you can speed up your response time to things that really matter. Remember to be discerning: It takes a great deal of wisdom to know which tasks must be answered immediately, and which can be put off for later. Then, decide how you make sure you respond intentionally, rather than sounding like a chatbot.

Enter today committing yourself to responding to people quicker. To responding to people intentionally and personally. Start measuring how quickly and intentionally you can respond to people. If you will make this your habit, you will stand out from the crowd. You will achieve more than you thought you ever could. You will be on to doing greater things.

When Jesus walked this earth, the word that was used more often than any other in the gospel of Mark is the word “immediately.” Jesus was forever starting things immediately. "Straight away" is another translation. How many times have I pulled up to an intersection, and passed on a chance to turn into traffic, only to find that that was the best opportunity I would have for many, many minutes? Life shouldn’t be sloppy, but responses can be quicker. And if you respond more quickly, you will do more and greater things.

Prayer

Here I am, Lord. Your servant is listening. And now, oh Lord, as I enter a busy day with lots of people wanting my attention, give me the wisdom to be able to tell what to answer quickly and what can wait. And give me the strong will to respond as quickly and intentionally as possible, just as your son did. In Jesus’ name. Amen.