Do You Think God Is Worried?

Do you think God is worried? I mean, after all, things are getting a bit crazy. Oops, did I say a bit crazy, I meant extremely crazy. It's like with each passing day, something else happens that makes you stop and think, "What in the world is going on here?" The Middle East is as unstable as ever, the world's economy is tanking, and our government, well lets just say needs the wisdom of God and leave it at that. Ok, I can't just leave it at that. Think about this, we now have a national debt that if you counted by ones, you could never count in several lifetimes. Then, there's the never ending insistence that we move further and further away from God and the Biblical principles upon which our nation was founded. Ok, now we'll just leave it at that. Add to that the current threat of the swine flu, natural disasters, the new nuclear arms race, talk about a one world currency, and God has to be worried, right?

After all, this can't be part of his ultimate plan, could it? I mean certainly, things in the world have gone in a direction God had not planned, right? Hardly. While we sit around wringing our hands, God has propped His legs up on His footstool and is at perfect peace. Worry is not an emotion, He is acquainted with. His plan was established eons ago, and nothing and no one, can keep it from playing out. Trust me, God's not worried, stressed out, or running for the hills. His anxiety level is not increasing, and He's not losing sleep. He's not concerned about how global warming or a possible ice age could mess up His whole plan for His Son's 1000 year reign.

In Matthew 24, Jesus instructs us not to become troubled or worried when we see things getting crazy, because all these things must happen for the end to come. He says that because he wants us to understand that God has everything under control. He wants us to understand that God is God and everything will play out according to His plan.

The challenge for believers is to live as though we believe it. When we get worried about all that's going on around us, we are really saying that we don't truly believe that God's at the helm. I'm not saying that we shouldn't be involved in the great political process here in our country and doing our part. What I am saying, is that when we totally trust God, we shouldn't get bent out of shape when things don't go the way we think they should. It's at moments like that, when we need to hit our prayer closet. Being involved in the political process, engaging in prayer and fasting, is our responsibility. The only thing left after that, is to trust God. Worrying and freaking out will not change one thing. Trust me, I've tried.

As believers, its time we learn how to completely trust God. He's got things mapped out, and they will go exactly the way He's planned. He's not worried. He never has been, and He never will be. Come on, He's God, remember!

Is The World Coming To An End?

With all the events going on in the world it makes you think a little doesn't it? The economies of the world are going crazy, Iran and North Korea are trying feverishly to develop nuclear capabilities, world leaders are discussing a "global currency," and Israel is proclaiming if somebody doesn't stop Iran they will. Put all that together with the whole global warming thing or the coming "ice age" and things seem to be a bit unstable.

But does it mean that the world is coming to an end? We are all leery of all those who proclaim the end is here because of all those who have missed it in the past. Remember the Cold War of the 1980's and the fear that somebody was going to push that button that would send this world into global thermonuclear war? How about the whole Y2K thing? Truth is though, this world is coming to an end. At least, this world as we know it. No, I'm not saying that it's happening in the next few months, although it could. I'm just saying that all you see is setting the stage for the final act. Maybe it's a year, 10 years, 50 years, maybe more, maybe less, but there is coming a day when Jesus will step in and change everything.

What I find so puzzling about times like this is that Christians so often go into freak-out mode when they feel the end is near. They become overwhelmed with fear of what is to come. For the believer, however, the end is actually a wonderful thing. Scripture tells us that when we see all these things happening to look up for our redemption is almost here. Jesus said, I'm going to prepare a place for you and there is coming a day when I'll come back to get you. At times like these, it is important for the believer to live like they believe that. Whether we are close to the end or its still decades away.

If nothing else, we have an awesome opportunity to bring in the harvest by utilizing the times and our assurance of our future as a launching pad to share the gospel. Trust me, people all around you are concerned about everything that is going on. If we as believers walk around in fear, we'll have very little ability to make an impact in the lives of others. However, if we have confidence and assurance in our Savior to do exactly what He said He'll do, then we'll be primed and ready to share that hope with others.

One more thing, Jesus also said it's very important that we not allow ourselves to get weighed down by pleasure seeking and the cares of this life or we won't be ready for that day of His return. It is important that we press into the things of God now more than ever. This is not a time for shrinking back, but for turning up the intensity in our walk with God.

The end is coming. It may be this year, or 50 years from now, but for the believer the only thing that should mean is that we are determined to be about our Father's business. But, then again, isn't that the way we are always suppose to live?