Joel 3:14
Thousands upon thousands are waiting in the valley of decision.
There the day of the Lord will soon arrive.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Recently, a Facebook friend posted an interesting question. In part, she said, “What is with the people on Facebook who literally spill their guts about woes, heartbreaks, and how ‘just when u think u can trust someone... Blah blah blah’?? I seriously don't understand what they believe they will be gaining from it?? AND THEN 150 LIKE THE POST?? What do they like?? Do they like that their ‘friend’ is miserable? Do they like that their ‘friend’ is writing this depressing stuff on here?” She made some valid points. She also mentioned that she has grown weary of posts from people who are “in a relationship” one day, “it’s complicated” the next, and then suddenly there is someone new – and wonderful – in their life.
Now you may be wondering… “What does this have to do with this passage from Joel 3?” I’m glad you asked! Joel is prophesying about the end of the world… when Christ will return and “thousands upon thousands” will gather in the “Valley of Decision” for judgment. I believe this is important… but I also believe that this has relevance in terms of today – and somewhat answers my friend’s Facebook question. Here’s how… we find “safety in numbers”. People want to know that others relate to them… that we care… that someone else has gone through what they are experiencing. Even if others judge us, we want to know that we are not alone.
Now this doesn’t mean I am excusing – or condoning – the kinds of posts my friend mentioned. I’m weary of them, too. But when a friend posts that her brother has been placed on Hospice and dying of cancer, I can respond to her, because I know firsthand what it’s like to have a brother on Hospice who is dying. When someone says, “I am a terrible mother… my 4-year-old cannot use scissors and the pre-K sent a note that we need to work on this”… I can speak to her as a teacher and a “foster-mother” to little ones that he is just not ready – and she is an excellent mother.
When a friend posts that she wants to crawl into bed and pull the covers over her head as she tries to juggle the challenges of a job, marriage, parenthood, ownership of a retail business, and the in-home care of her father… as well as caregiving duties for her aging grandmother…I can commiserate, offer to pray for her, and assure her that she is not alone and that others care.
See, we are all waiting in the Valley of Decision for something… whether even our own self-judgment. We have gathered together with decisions to make, challenges to face, worries, concerns, joys and sorrows. And we eagerly await feedback… just as those on Facebook want others to reassure them that they are not the only person with such-and-such problem or experience. The bottom line is that you are not unique… your challenges, choices, and their outcomes are shared by countless other people. This doesn’t lessen the impact… make you less worried, upset, or important. It just means that you’re not the first person that XYZ has ever happened to… and you won’t be the last.
In the Spiritual sense, you are incredibly unique and valuable to God… while at the same time, He feels this way about millions of others. We will all have to answer to Him for the events and choices of our lives. So why not choose to live for Him every minute… to trust Him for outcomes in all circumstances and act in a way that honors and pleases Him, no matter what happens? Why not choose to be one of those in the crowd on Judgment Day who hears, “Well done, my servant. You weren’t perfect… but you were obedient and faithful… you honored the gift of My Only Son with your conduct.”? Why not bare your soul to God about many of your issues - instead of to your Facebook friends - and live in such a way that the things you DO choose to post reflect a life of faith-filled discipleship?
When the LORD arrives, and you stand among the thousands, it won’t matter how your neighbors chose. God will judge each of us on our own merits. This should affect the choices we make now… how we handle today’s challenges and experiences – and how we respond to others in similar situations. What are your choices? How are you managing the blessings and resources God has given you? Are you ready to stand in the Valley of Decision with a clear conscience? Isn’t it time you were?
©2013 Debbie Robus
No comments:
Post a Comment