Luke 21:8-9
He said, “Watch out for the doomsday deceivers.
Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities claiming, ‘I’m
the One,’ or, ‘The end is near.’ Don’t fall for any of that. When you
hear of wars and uprisings, keep your head and don’t panic. This is
routine history and no sign of the end.”
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
I
traveled with Timothy’s class to a goat farm today. Yes…a goat farm!
We watched the farmer milk a goat and then make soap with the milk and
other ingredients. We toured the milking room and saw babies,
yearlings, and full-grown Nubian goats. We took a hayride and looked at
beautiful cattle – including several newborn calves - grazing under a
grove of trees. The children ran relays on stick horses and got to pet a
beautiful horse named Mercedes.
We finished the morning with a
picnic lunch. The fields were full of buttercups. Everything was
crisp and green…the goats were adorable…the sky was deep blue, and there
was lots of sunshine and a light breeze to keep things cool. It was
what my mother used to call a “Chamber of Commerce Day!”
The dad
of one of Timothy’s classmates rode over to the farm with me. He moved
to our state from New Jersey, and he marveled at the foliage and the
landscape as we traveled. He talked of living in a “concrete jungle”
just a few miles from New York City, and how he was glad his children
were growing up where nature was abundant. Everything about the farm
was as new and exciting to him as it was to any of the 6-and-7-year-olds
who visited.
After we returned from the trip, I purchased a
couple dozen farm fresh eggs and several quarts of just-picked
strawberries from local vendors. By the time I got home, I was tired
from all of the fresh air, sunshine, and the day’s activities…but my
heart was so full. God had shown me firsthand just how blessed I am.
I
grew up around farm animals, riding my own horse, and eating freshly
grown food from my grandparents’ garden. I have lived most of my 58+
years within 100 miles of my present location…and I have never lacked
for greenery, changing seasons, or an abundance of wildlife. I looked
around and realized just how blessed I am – and I was reminded how easy
it is to become complacent – or negative…and to forget all of this!
My mother said over and over that there was nothing new about the wars and hatred of today. If you study history at all…or if you read your Bible…you
will learn more about torture and strife than you could ever imagine.
You will see that negativity, bullying, and abuses of all kinds are
anything but new. You will also see that people have been saying that
“the end is near” for centuries! We all know that Matthew 24:36 tells
us…“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s
angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.” Yet many still want
to try to predict what God is planning – and when!
Here’s the
lesson for us…stop worrying about when Jesus will return – and start
focusing on what God has given you! Count your blessings…open your eyes
and recognize the opportunities and possibilities in your midst. Ask
God what He wants you to do with each and every day…and then prepare to
DO IT! Trust that God has amazing plans for you. Live with faith that
Jesus will return at the right time…and meanwhile, He will handle ALL
THINGS in your life. I do not mean to belittle war and dissention – or
to disrespect those who fight for our country or any of our leaders who
are working to bring about resolution and peace.
But let’s be
honest…the most important thing that you and I can do to eliminate
strife in our own life – and our own circle of influence – is to operate
in God’s will and honor His blessings in our lives. Recognize a “good
day” – and come to expect more of them. Show others what it means to
live fully in God’s abundance…fearless about the future and a victor
rather than a victim of negativity and disagreement. Don’t buy into the
false message of those who would have you believe that everything is
quite literally “going to hell in a hand basket.” God is still on the
throne! He is still the King of Kings…large and in charge…calling the
shots and blessing His people. And you are among them!
Who are
you listening to these days? Do you see the hand of God upon your
life? Do you trust Him? Have you counted your blessings lately? Isn’t
it time you did?
©2016 Debbie Robus
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