Rebranding ASAP

I want to rebrand, ASAP! You’ve probably noticed the surge of marketing rebranding that has recently occurred. Everything from Cracker Barrel to Pepsi, Adobe, LG, Walmart, Lamborghini, Nokia (didn’t even think they were still around), even Amazon. Seemingly everyone is rebranding! Consequently, I want to rebrand, ASAP.

Let me explain what I mean. The acronym “ASAP” typically means “as soon as possible.” We say things like, "I need you to come home ASAP. I’ll need that report ASAP. I’ll be there ASAP. Clean up your room ASAP" (I’ve been known to use that once or twice with my son).

ASAP is typically used to express urgency and the need for a task or request to be prioritized and completed quickly. It also has a sense of harshness to it. It can produce anxiety and even fear, adding more stress and hurry to our already busy lives. In fact, Forbes named emails with ASAP in the subject header among the five rudest. In addition, when overused it can become meaningless and even be misinterpreted.

Therefore, I propose we rebrand ASAP: as soon as possible to ASAP: always say a prayer! When you feel hurried and have no time to spare, ASAP—always say a prayer! When there is family drama and quality time is rare, ASAP—always say a prayer! When you are worried about the situation or the diagnosis and it’s more than you can bear, ASAP—always say a prayer!

This is actually a biblical command. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “pray continually.” (ASAP) As pithy as this sounds, it almost seems harder than the original ASAP. How am I to pray continually!? This seems unreasonable, untenable and unrealistic. How do I ASAP—always say a prayer? Who has the time? Does anyone do this?

Let me help you with this command. I don’t think “praying continually” means that we are 24/7, verbally and mentally, always, every second, petitioning God. However, what I think he means by “pray without ceasing” is that over and over, always, repeatedly, without fail and often, my mind and heart are postured toward the Lord's stirring.

A modern way of thinking about this is the term “mindfulness” or “being mindful.” Psychologically, mindfulness could be described as being present in the moment. It’s the state of being self-aware of your emotions, feelings and bodily sensations as you interact with things in life.

Spiritually, mindfulness or being mindful, is paying attention to every moment with curiosity (God sightings), opportunity (God movings) and acceptance (God’s blessings). In other words, being mindful of the ways God is moving, speaking and acting. When we are presently aware of His very essence and presence in all that we do, and all the things He is doing in the world, we can prayerfully join Him in what He is doing.

Jesus said it this way, “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. (John 15:4,7)

This is the secret to ASAP: Abide. To be mindful and presently aware of God. I looked up the word Abide in the original Greek language. It means to “to exist permanently in, inseparably united with.” When we are inseparably united (dwelling in this continual state) with God, we will pray without ceasing because we are spiritually mindful of all that He is doing around us.

“Lord, make us all ASAP disciples!” AMEN!