Tyranny of the Urgent

I have just finished reading The Tyranny of The Urgent, by Charles E. Hummel. Looking at the task of summarizing this little, but impactful, book; I believe that turning to an outline format will help me convey my ideas on the sum of this book more clearly. My outline of the summary of this book is as follows;

Presenting the Need (Our Current Condition) pg 3-6

Ø “Work expands to fill all the available time.” (Hummel, 4)

Ø “Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important.” (Hummel, 5)

The Fix (the Example of Christ) pg 6-12

Ø “I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.”

(John 17:4, emphasis added)

Ø “His [Jesus] life showed a wonderful balance, a sense of timing.” (Hummel, 8)

Ø “He prayerfully waited for his Father’s instructions.” (Hummel, 9)

Ø “In both of these situations Jesus’ yes to the Father’s purpose meant saying no to the urgent demands of human need.” (Hummel, 11)

Making the Fix Stick (Steps to Application) pg 12-28

Ø Rely on God (Dependence makes You Free)

o “…the root of all sin is self-sufficiency – independence from the rule of God.” (Hummel, 13)

o “The opposite of such independence is prayer in which we acknowledge our need of God’s guidance and empowerment.” (Hummel, 14)

Ø Digression: Another Need (Spending Time and Money)

o “Unlike money, time comes to all of us in equal amounts.” (Hummel, 14)

o “We spend hours on impulse of an unexpected opportunity or demand. Then complain that our time flies away…” (Hummel, 17)

Ø Step 1: Decide What’s Important

o “So each of us should consider the basic components of a productive Christian life and prayerfully set specific goals.” (Hummel, 18)

Ø Step 2: Discover Where your Time Goes

o “Any adjustment – some of which can be painful – must begin with facing this reality.” (Hummel, 20)

o Chart a week’s hours into 30 minute increments to see how your time is spent

Ø Step 3: Budget the Hours

o “…start with the way you are using your hours now and plan only a few changes as they become possible for you.” (Hummel, 22)

o “…remember to allow some uncommitted time each week.” (Hummel, 24)

Ø Step 4: Follow Through

o “Even the best-laid plans produce little without a firm resolve to implement them.” (Hummel, 24)

o “I have come to realize that I am the indispensable person only until the moment I say no.” (Hummel, 26)

Ø Step 5: Evaluate

o “The need itself, however urgent, is not the call to meet it; the call must come from the Lord who knows our limitations.” (Hummel, 28)

Conclusion and Encouragement pg 29-30

Ø “Nothing substitutes for knowing that on this day, at this hour, in this place, we are doing the will of our Father in Heaven.” (Hummel, 29)

I believe that the ebb and flow of this little book produces a clear and logical procession from the need to the solution to the application of solution in realistic way. That being said, I think the flow of this book highlights and hinges on these three main points with a nice encouraging conclusion to wrap it up into an impactful piece of material. There is no doubt, in my opinion, that we as people struggle with making the most of the time that we have. Truly, there is a need to be more effective in making the most of our time. After this book clearly presents this need Hummel, the author, moves strait on to how this need can be met. As many would expect our need is met in Christ, specifically the example of Christ and intercession with the Father. If we wish our need to be met we must follow the example of Christ; in that we receive our purpose and vision from the Father. This is directly and primarily accomplished through the means of prayer, wherein Christ intercedes with the Father on our behalf. Though prayer is the primary means there are a few other steps that we can take to put ourselves in a better place to receive and manage our mission. Being that I have outlined the steps above I will not revisit them here, but I will point out that change does not happen overnight. We are what we are because we spent our whole lives becoming it. To think that we could simply change who we are in an instant would be to say that we have the power to go back and change all of our past choices so that we would be what we want to become. We cannot. Therefore, it is very important to focus on the solution of the need we have now and the steps we can take to get us on our way to becoming what we what to be; knowing that it will take time but time. Remember though it may take time, becoming something of worth is time well spent.

Now onto a few things that impacted me very personally. One, Hummel says, “Your greatest danger is letting the urgent things crowd out the important.” (5) Having been a youth pastor and an associate pastor I have seen and been victim of my fair share of the truth this statement holds. I’ll never forget the struggle to find a balance in the midst of sermon preparation, visitation, fundraisers, lock-ins, personal devotions, prayer, pastors meeting, board meeting, exercise and college. All that and I did not even mention time with my wife, time to eat, sleep and take a shower. I have fallen victim to trying to meet the present need so it will go away and I can get back to what I need to do. Usually I would end up pulling all-nighters just to meet deadlines. My point being I was the poster child for this book. Because of my lack of time management I burnt out and was forced, two years ago, to seek out a way to better manage my time to avoid failure in the future. I really appreciate with book because it houses a lot of the information I gleamed from other books along my journey and does so in a short, clear and simple to understand way.

A second that I take very personally from this book is when Hummel says, “The need itself, however urgent, is not the call to meet it; the call must come from the Lord who knows our limitations.” (28) Wow, I wish someone would have told me that five years ago. I blindly, but with good intentions, sought to meet needs as a pastor; all the while never consulting God as to whether or not any of those needs were my call to fulfill. Thus, my people loved me and used me up till I had nothing to give, because I was like the man Hummel describes, “…the fanatic who, unsure of his direction, doubles his speed.” (28) I did not have a clear purpose from God for my ministry. I simply went into my ministry with the desire, although good desire, to meet needs. I now know that I cannot meet every need; Jesus didn’t. Rather I can focus on preaching and teaching the Word, loving my people by giving them a physically, mentally and spiritually healthy pastor and providing help and counsel through scheduled meetings and in emergencies at the moment of great need. My call to meet needs and what needs to meet will come from God, because I am tuned in through consistent prayer and fasting, specifically asking for His guidance and direction.