These are just some of my thoughts right now about where I am and where I want to be. It's a request for prayers on my behalf but also an encouragement for those of you out there who need it....
So, why is it that the threat of the economy completely dropping out from underneath us isn't as scary as thinking about the Lord returning one day very soon? Why is it that as Christians we would rather go through complete physical despair like during the Great Depression than actually thinking about the day the Lord returns? At least that's how I'm feeling. Of course, I get pretty worried thinking about my children not having the food they need to eat, or even worse that our country would be so broke that we couldn't afford to protect our nation like we have in the past. But even thinking about those things doesn't make my stomach turn with anxiousness as much as thinking about the fact that maybe God is just preparing us to return home.
Why is that? Why am I not ecstatic at the thought of that? Why am I so completely terrified? I John 4:18 says, 'There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.' So am I afraid of being punished??? If so, why am I not making the necessary changes in order to avoid that punishment? More than the thoughts of myself being punished, I think I'm more panicky about the thought of people I know being punished because I didn't say something to show them the love of Christ and how much they need Him. So, again, why am I not saying something to them?
I guess I'm writing this so that I can accomplish three main goals. 1) If you know Christ and are excited for His return, encourage me (and others around you) to stick with our committments to find that 'perfect love'. Hold me accountable to make these changes that I obviously need to make. 2) If you know Christ, but you feel scared like I do either for yourself or for those around you, get in the boat with me and start fighting with me. Let's start making a difference. 3) If you get this and you DON'T know Christ, know that you NEED Him desparately. He is 'the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' (John 14:6) I want to make a change in my life and actually talk to those around me about who He is. I want to show you the love that has been shown to me. Please let me show you that love.
So, why is it that the threat of the economy completely dropping out from underneath us isn't as scary as thinking about the Lord returning one day very soon? Why is it that as Christians we would rather go through complete physical despair like during the Great Depression than actually thinking about the day the Lord returns? At least that's how I'm feeling. Of course, I get pretty worried thinking about my children not having the food they need to eat, or even worse that our country would be so broke that we couldn't afford to protect our nation like we have in the past. But even thinking about those things doesn't make my stomach turn with anxiousness as much as thinking about the fact that maybe God is just preparing us to return home.
Why is that? Why am I not ecstatic at the thought of that? Why am I so completely terrified? I John 4:18 says, 'There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.' So am I afraid of being punished??? If so, why am I not making the necessary changes in order to avoid that punishment? More than the thoughts of myself being punished, I think I'm more panicky about the thought of people I know being punished because I didn't say something to show them the love of Christ and how much they need Him. So, again, why am I not saying something to them?
I guess I'm writing this so that I can accomplish three main goals. 1) If you know Christ and are excited for His return, encourage me (and others around you) to stick with our committments to find that 'perfect love'. Hold me accountable to make these changes that I obviously need to make. 2) If you know Christ, but you feel scared like I do either for yourself or for those around you, get in the boat with me and start fighting with me. Let's start making a difference. 3) If you get this and you DON'T know Christ, know that you NEED Him desparately. He is 'the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' (John 14:6) I want to make a change in my life and actually talk to those around me about who He is. I want to show you the love that has been shown to me. Please let me show you that love.