May 21st - the End of the World?

But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. Matthew 24:36 NASB

So why do people keep insisting they know when the world is going to end? Well, I don't know the answer to that question either. I have seen billboards and vehicles displaying this end of the world on May 21st warning all over the place. Frankly, it makes my blood boil. Jesus warned us that people would try to predict the date of His return, but every time I hear or see someone actually do it, I'm annoyed. There are some ideas in the Bible that have difficult interpretations. This is not one of them.

But this warning did start me to thinking. What if tomorrow was the day Jesus returns? How would we treat today differently? What would we do out of our normal routine? If you had to stand face to face with Jesus Christ tomorrow, how would it affect the words that you speak today? How would that affect the choices you make today? Would you spend time reading your Bible? Would you make time to pray? Would you tell your family members you love them? Would you try to help someone in need?

We don't know the day and time, and the Bible calls us to always be ready. Instead of continuing to fester in annoyance at these doomsayers, I think I'll just try to remember that they don't know and neither do I so I better live each day as if tomorrow is THE day. And this way, I can trust God for the peace that only He can give.

I'm Not Dead

But I don't know about what to write. It's one of those times when everything seems to be in total chaos. The world is a scary place right now, there's no denying that. As if people aren't frightening enough, it's as if nature has turned against us as well. Tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, and more. What can we do against this kind of overwhelming discord? In these times, it's easy to allow ourselves to get tangled up in worry and stress. I certainly do it from time to time. I will get so stressed I almost forget to breathe. I find myself holding my breath at my desk at work. I have to remind myself to inhale and exhale in long, slow breaths. It usually clears my head.

So what do we do? How do we handle this? I don't have the answers other than what helps me. Prayer is powerful. I try to make it my first line of defense. No matter how crazy the world seems, I know God is still there and listens to His children's prayers. How can we then put feet to these prayers?

First, we have to remember that we can control ourselves and our reactions, but not those around us. We can't bend others to our will. We cannot control this world, only how we react to it.

Second, we should diligently do what is before us. I work in a stressful environment right now. Everyday, I come in and face an unreasonable amount of work for any one person. All I can do is pick up one thing at a time and do it. Eventually, the storm will pass, but until then, I will do what I can do, go home, and not think about it past that.

Third, I feel strongly about helping people so I volunteer and donate to causes I feel do good work. It makes me feel like I'm doing something to help. It makes me feel less powerless in this crazy world.

This is not a fool-proof recipe, and I certainly fail at this from time to time, but these things help me. And I practice to get better at them everyday. If I remember and employ nothing else, I will pray and remember God hears and answers.