Meat and Potatoes
Air exists in two disparate contexts: “the whole mass of air surrounding the earth” and “an intriguing or singular tone, effect, or appeal.” (Merriam Webster Dictionary) Both are invisible. That is, “unable to be seen; not visible to the eye.” (Oxford Languages) Either can be felt as wind or as winds of change. They both are all pretty simple, but I believe one is too often taken for granted. One atmosphere has an “overall aesthetic effect” while the other not only can be considered aesthetic, but it is absolutely essential for life — all life.
The “all life” part has been more than taken for granted and anybody with any sense at all knows about the effects of Species Extinction, Air Pollution, and Climate Change on all life. Despite the instinctive tendency to bury our heads in the sand, hiding from the alarms that sound an ominous catastrophe is just around the corner, some try to change such a fate. We dig our fingertips into the steep cliffs of hope that echo from the canyon walls, “Just try!” Yet, discouragement often overtakes when we shrug and fancy “Things always turn out for the better.” Unless you’re Greta Thuberg…
Personally, I am not worried. My head isn’t buried in the sand. I look to the invisible God of the Bible who has made Himself so very real in my life and has given me a huge deposit guaranteeing an eternal life in a place prepared that will never have such problems. Yes, it would be a “pie in the sky” delusion without the real meat and potatoes aspect. I am a realist, feet planted squarely on the ground, head not buried, head face forward.
But I am worried for everyone else.
People who don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus and who have not in reality been born again. And believe me, if you have been born again you will definitely know it. If you have a question whether yea or nay, then no, I’m afraid you haven’t been born again.
Nevertheless, the entire not so invisible catastrophe will overtake and overwhelm in a decidedly horrible way. No, I’m not talking about the Final Judgment, but Mankind is reaping his own works. We all benefit from the economics of our Society. So, I don’t think any of us can cry “Foul!”After making our bed, where do you imagine we will sleep?
The Bible warns, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” and “If God did not shorten those days, no one would survive.” Now, let me say that my opinion is these are “those days.” There is still a lot of beauty and plenty of enjoyment we can have with family and friends. “People get ready there’s a train a comin’” so goes the 60’s song — Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions — People Get Ready (1965).
“So,” you might say, “the end of the world has been predicted like forever, and nothing has come of it.” Sure. Absolutely true.
Yet, I contend that what God has always held back He is now piece by piece removing, saying in effect, “You won’t listen. Okay. Have it your way. You are now completely on your own.” And I remember the story of Noah and the Flood where people kept on keeping on until they were swept away . There’s a moral to the story, don’t you think.?
See this passage from 2 Thessolonians 2:6–8 — “For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.”
It will be taken out of the way.
Look at the signs of the end in Matthew 24 or listen to this passage in 2 Peter 3:3–4 — New International Version: “Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”
Remain cynical at your own peril. Yet, we are informed in 2 Peter 3:8–10 (New International Version) “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you [and me], not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
God is even more patient with us than we can understand — more so than our own mothers and fathers were while waiting for us to come to our senses. Bringing things to their conclusions had never been their priority — or God’s.
The more people who decide to come to their senses, the better. Jesus said, “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?” The best B&B a person could never ever imagine!
There are a lot of good things in the Bible that God has promised to give to people who have come to believe — some in this life, some in life after , but there is also this parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25 which has a profound warning. See if you can catch it:
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out!’ “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. “Later, the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…” -Hebrews 3:15
John 3:16 — “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Won’t you please take Him up on His generous offer?
