It’s hurricane season and the first ugly intruder, Irene, showed up hungry last night in the Caribbean, blowing 115 mph winds and killing a handful of people. I guess that she didn’t get enough to eat so they tell me that she’s heading to my neck of the woods on the Southeastern coast of the United States. Those who are experts on Irene and her sister-storms predict that she plans to head all the way up the east coast, chewin’ & spewin’ as she goes. These days, if it’s not earthquakes, droughts or fires…it’s hurricanes. Welcome to the 21st century.
Amy and I spoke this week about the turmoil in the Middle East (when has the Middle East not been in turmoil?) coupled with the mayhem in Western countries – rioting, violence, debauchery, deception; throw into the mix the increasingly frequent reports of instability in the kingdom of nature and it becomes good fodder for wondering if the end of days might not be approaching. Wise people are reluctant to be dogmatic in this area but they are also discerning enough to remember that Jesus said that these kinds of things would intensify before His second advent. Does that leave you excited, fearful…or both?
Here’s what I’m pondering this morning: on any given day do we really live in acute awareness that Jesus Christ is going to return? If I am living in this awareness it is certainly going to leave its impression on every facet of my life. I will cherish precious people in my life. There will be a sense of urgency to be restored to problematic people in my life. My daily problems will be in proper perspective because I will be focused on the greater context of the transient nature of our earthly journey- this life does come to an end down here. I wonder how differently people would spend their hours if they were keenly aware that the King is coming. What would we spend our money on? Would the Great Commission to go and make disciples unto Christ be manifested differently through us? I suppose that all of these questions are worthy of our pondering but I wonder, if the Second Coming was really concrete in our minds, would there be less pondering and more performing? Here’s something that should become crystalized in us when the return of Christ is a near reality in our thinking:
“…in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” – Philippians 2:3-5 {ESV}
Paul gives us some practical instruction about how to spend our days on earth. He said that we must not waste our days preoccupied with…us. We have a innate hard-wiring that propels us to be self-focused. Chances are, many of your thoughts already today have been about you: your appearance, your responsibilities, your agenda, your problems, your needs, etc. I’m not accusing anyone, I’m just pointing out an observation concerning human nature. I’m also suggesting that this part of us is as spiritually deadly as Hurricane Irene is in the natural order. A self-focus opposes everything that our bibles teach us and sometimes it takes a storm to jolt us out of those patterns of thought and action. May God empower us to obey the Scriptures and avoid the storm. Paul says in the verses above that we need humility which will empower a life-philosophy that others are more important than ourselves. When we believe that wholeheartedly we will not constantly look to our own interests but persistently be concerned with the needs of others. Paul reminds us that this same mindset existed in the infinite intellect of God the Son…the same Son who is coming again.
I hope that, when He returns, He finds me thinking of you and not of myself. Not merely something to ponder…but something to practice.
Both you and Sharon have hit the “nail right on the head.!” Thank you for such a honest and true assesment of the world we are living in today. There are so many, (ones that I love as well)
that think they are doing o.k….I really hate to think of what is going to happen to them.
People are too entertained by the enemy to be sober and expectant of the return of Christ. Among church people, I always hear excited talk about TV shows, football, etc. Rare is the time that I hear excited talk about what God is doing in their lives or how they are looking forward to the trumpet to call us up. I’m afraid for too many, this world IS their home, with all it’s filth and lust which they enjoy and call normal. I’m afraid many will be very surprised to discover that their church membership did not pay for their sins. They will be left behind, but they will not realize it – they will fall under the delusion and lies of the anti-christ whom they have loved and been entertained by.
Even so, it is well with my soul! I long for His appearing and I plan to stand firm (Eph 6) in His armor until then!
Sharon, if you continue to be so vague concerning what you mean I’ll have to consider blocking your comments 🙂
In all seriousness, your observations are well-founded. Laodicea has arisen in the 21st century American church. Thank God that there are still many that have not become anesthetized to the calling of the King.