When I think back to my college days at Trinity, it seems like a different lifetime – or someone else’s lifetime, at least. In reality, I was walking across the stage to receive my diploma only five years ago. My wife Bethany and I have been ministering to teenagers at Layton Chapel Baptist Church in Spring Lake, North Carolina since June of 2007; and let me say that the ministry has been challenging and enjoyable, taxing and fruitful, monotonous, yet always surprising.

Because I think that those who are doing the most are doing the best, it is very easy for me to equate busyness with fruitfulness and success. However, fruitfulness is not always directly proportional to the amount of effort one gives. And busyness does not equal obedience.

In December of 2008, we took some teens from our youth group to the Brookfield Nursing Home. We went to pass out candy bags, teddy bears, and Christmas cards to the residents there. We took our time, trying to be an encouragement to the elderly people who love being visited by young people.
 
The very last man that I visited that night was a man named Hugh McKinney. He served our country in the military as a very young man, and later on served the Lord in ministry. This 90-year-old man was absolutely fascinating to hear! He told stories of his military service and stories of his family and what God had done in his life. He had one son die at a young age, and his wife passed away in 2008. He also gave me his salvation testimony. Before I left, he shocked me by pulling out a well-worn appointment book. He wrote down my name, my wife's name, and the exact date and time that we visited, as well as the name of our church. Then he compelled me to write down my cell phone number, which I did - not expecting to ever hear from him. As I left Bro. McKinney's room, the impression that he left with me was that he was a godly man with a captivating personality and sense of humor.


Dr. and Mrs. Hugh Lee McKinney

As I was leaving, I tentatively asked him if it would be okay if I returned to visit him sometime. He told me he would very much enjoy that. Honestly, I fully intended to keep my word; but life sucked me into the hustle and bustle, and time began to go by, while my promise to Hugh McKinney got pushed into the back of my mind.  Months began to pass... Occasionally, my memory would be triggered by something, and the thought would cross my mind: "I need to go see Mr. McKinney." After several months of remembering but failing to act, even the memories became sparse. Summer is always the busiest time of the year for us. Of the 4 different week-long trips that Bethany and I were a part of that summer, teen camp came first. Like all good Christian camps, this one was just far enough away from civilization to ensure that I didn't get a cell phone signal, so I left my phone in our cabin most of the time. One day during the week, I looked at my phone when I returned to the cabin one night. Somehow, my phone picked up that fact that there was a voicemail, but there was not enough reception for me to call and hear the message. On the way home from camp, I picked up my phone and listened to my voicemails. The very first one was from a strange number, and a strong but elderly voice began speaking to me: "Hello, this is Hugh McKinney..." He went on to call me and Bethany by name, and to list the exact date and time that we visited him (he must have been reading his little appointment book!). This was June 20th - a full 6 months after our first meeting. He said he would love to have me come and visit him. Instantly, guilt crept into my heart for not visiting him. Again, I promised myself that I would go when life settled down.

Well, I am ashamed to admit that the "tyranny of the urgent" enslaved me again. Nearly a year transpired, and I had never gone to see Mr. McKinney. In fact, I rarely even thought about him, unless I happened to drive by the nursing home.

In August of 2009, I learned that Mr. McKinney was in the hospital. The doctors wanted to do surgery, but he was having some other complications. Unfortunately, I was not able to visit him that week. When I learned about his second trip to the hospital, for whatever reason (maybe it was shame) I couldn't bring myself to go see him. On August 17, Bethany and I were driving through town when we were stopped at a red light by a cemetery. A funeral home tent caught my eye. The name on the tombstone was clear and unmistakable: "McKinney". My heart began to pound, and I panicked - feeling guilty and sorrowful. I hope that’s not Bro. Hugh!

That particular tombstone may not have been Bro. Hugh's...but the very next day I learned that he had passed away – three days earlier. I can't even tell you how I felt. Really, how hard could it have been to carve out a few minutes for a dear old brother in Christ who wanted to fellowship with me?

You might be wondering why I feel this strongly about a man I had only met one time for just a few brief moments. I know in my heart that I broke a promise to that man. I also know that I disobeyed God's clear commands of Scripture. But was I being lazy? No, I was very busy…

We need to make sure that our busyness does not become an imperfect substitute for obedience to God. I missed an opportunity to minister to Hugh McKinney, and I will never get that opportunity again. If I had to do it over, I would stop some of the “busyness” so that I could be obedient.

I'll see Bro. McKinney in heaven one day... and I'm sure he won't be mad at me - but I want his forgiveness just the same. What about the dozens of people I see each day that need Jesus? Am I missing my opportunities to love them and share the Gospel with them? Aren’t they more important than a million other things that can keep us busy? Brothers and sisters, the ministry places many demands on us – but remember, being busy does not necessarily mean that we are being obedient.