Making the Important Urgent – Part 2 Be Authentic
As we discussed in last weeks blog, many of you have been so busy working on things that are “urgent” that you never get time to focus on the “important?”
As a short review we began looking at the Eisenhower Urgent/Important Principle, created by the late President Eisenhower. It states is that there are two types of activities: 1) Important, which have outcomes that lead one to achieving his or her own goals whether personal or professional, and 2) Urgent, which are activities that demand your immediate attention and in most cases are associated with achieving someone else’s goals. The urgent activities are the ones we most often focus on because these have a more immediate result positive or negative.
Eisenhower believed that by knowing which activities are important and which are urgent, we can focus our attention on the important and put a lower priority on the the urgent non-important issues.
Last week we began explored the first of four priorities for living Paul used to focus the church and the individuals to the Important and not focused on just the Urgent! The passages again comes from come from 1 Thessalonians Chapter 2.
Paul’s first priority was to be Biblical. This week we will look at the second priority and that is to be Authentic.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
- Paul was real!
Paul was who he was all the time and with everyone he came in contact with. He said what needed to be said whether the hearer wanted to hear or not. No one could ever call Paul “Politically Correct”. In today’s highly charged society, we must be careful what we say and what we do not say. Paul said what needed to be said, not what he wanted to say. There is a difference. If we can add something positive to the conversation that can make a difference, then we need to speak. If we can only continue the controversy without adding any value, then it is best to just not speak, This does not change you being you. It simply gives you the opportunity to be heard by those that differ with you on matters that are not spiritual when spiritual matters are needed to be spoken. Don’t ruin your ability to witness because of a social issue that is not spiritual. Paul was himself.
- Paul did not use his position to satisfy his personal needs.
Paul was the head of the missionary outreach to the Gentile World. He certainly could have expected the Church to support him and meet his needs. He also did not spend his time trying to become famous so that people would give lavish him with gifts or comforts. He certainly could have requested some funding or physical support from the church to meet his daily needs. These could have been seen as Urgent, but they were not important to Paul.
3. Webster’s Dictionary defines Authentic by stating three things it is not:
- It is not imaginary
- It is not false
- It is not imitation
Paul certainly was none of these
Today we would use the word “not being a phony.” Some speakers use hyper-religious phrases to make people think they are super spiritual. I am not going to mention any because you know what I mean and do not want to offend anyone. You know it when you hear it, and that is all I will say about that!
4. Authentic people usually enjoy life more than most.
They do not take themselves so seriously. They laugh and cry and think more freely because they have nothing to prove. No big image to protect, no role to play. They have no fear of being found out.
5. Authentic people can trust God to show the scripture through them without fear.
Authentic people can focus on the importance of being themselves, filled with the Holy Spirit, and not stumble over the Urgent matter of getting people to like them.
We need to be Authentic. Are you for real? Let’s make being authentic an Important Priority in your life today.
Next week we will look at Paul’s Priority 3 for needed to make the important urgent: Be Gracious.