When I checked my Facebook this morning, I noticed that a friend had posted a reminder to all her Christian friends to keep their attitudes in check about this failed prediction. She has a valid point. It is easy to mock and scorn and just be mean when we are right and someone else is wrong. Even in fun, some things are hurtful to others and to our witness.
But, while I agree with her on every level, I think it is important to remember that there are some things that we do have a surety about - one of which IS the end of the world. We know that we will NOT know the date or the time. When someone suggests that they do, it is difficult to take them seriously - to give them credence.
I will admit that I have probably missed some major opportunities with this one. I could have used this as a conversation starter..."So, if the world ends at 6:00 tonight, do you know where you will be?" It kind of reminds me of a story I once heard about a group doing evangelism at the beach and started the conversation with, "Do you know what time it is?" It seems trite and out of place.
Don't get me wrong. I believe we need to the make the most of the opportunities that we are given to point those around us to Jesus, but I think here are times when, as Christians, we are caught between a rock and and hard place.
Take the apocalypse prediction for instance. Given the above prediction we have several options of response:
- We could heed it - We could accept it and plan for it and look forward to it as we know where our place in eternity lies. But if we do, if we do, we would be saying that we don't believe God's word to be true.
- We could acknowledge it - We could involve ourselves in conversations and share our knowledge of Scripture. But if we do, we would be accused of being rigid, and it is certainly not politically correct to say that our beliefs are more valid than someone else's beliefs.
- We could make light of it - We could take it for what it is, someone's messed up idea about who God is and what His plan is for our lives. Even though our hearts hurt for the one who made the prediction, because we know that he has a very messed up view of Scripture, we can be accused of being mean spirited.
I know that was not my friend's intent. She is a loving person with a gentle heart, and her admonishment is right on. There is a fine line between humor and haughtiness. And, just as the world was watching at 6:oo pm last night for the end of the world, the world is watching us today.
I am personally torn about last night's failed apocalypse. There is a part of me that got a little excited around 5:45 that this world might be ending and things would be set right again. Even though I knew that biblically there was no way it would happen, I allowed my imagination fly away with the possibility. It was fun. But, I am also thankful beyond thankful that I have been given a second chance to talk to friends and family who would not have shared my eternity. What an amazing gift.
So, yes. I am still here. Not only on this earth, but part of the blogging community. Schedules have been crazy, and I have been dealing with a lot of issues emotionally and spiritually as well. But, through it all, God has been and will continue to be amazingly faithful. I have been reminded again and again that it is God's plan. He knows the predictions. He knows the truth. My job is to live each day as if it could be my last. But until that last day. I am here.
