My Thoughts

Why Are We Falling Apart?

Luke 21:11
There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
NIV

Cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, and the list can go on. None of it is fun. It seems like more and more people are becoming sick. Most likely everybody knows somebody with health problems now.

Famines are becoming a problem too. Many food banks are having problems feeding the hungry.

All over the world there are earthquakes, some of them are huge like the one in Japan. We are even getting earthquakes in places where we didn’t know there were fault lines. Our world seems to be falling apart, and there is nothing we can do about it.

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
NIV

How can this be? Once in awhile someone would talk to me about the economy and about world events. When I was asked what I thought, I would say that things will get worst. I mean we will still have good times, but overall, things will get worse. I’m sure people thought of me as a real pessimist. But I’m really not.

I believe I am learning the secret of Romans 8:28. Since I have been a Christian I have heard stories of Christians in far off lands going through much hardship and persecution. I’ve always been amazed at the stories. One day, I read an article where some Christians actually gave up there faith in Jesus because of persecution. I found myself very disappointed in them. Why? After thinking about it, I realized that I was being encouraged by the endurance of other Christians. Could Romans 8:28 be talking about or for anyone who loves Jesus, even from a different place or time? I believe so. Because of their love for God; I was benefitting from them because of my own love for God.

Many of you know about the foot problem I have been having for years. Sometimes the pain has been very great. There was a TV commercial for a headache medicine, for people with migraines headaches more than 15 days out of the month. I remember thinking, “What wimps. I often have foot pain 28 to 31 days out of the month, and some days are bad.” (I have good days and bad days. But the good days at this point in time out number the bad days.) One day someone told me that one of the reasons he turned to Jesus was because of the way I handled the pain in my foot. To be honest I do not understand how this works. But I’m honestly thrilled that God used my foot for His glory. It makes the pain worthwhile. There is now one more person who is going to Heaven; which brings us back to Romans 8:28. Anyone who has read my book (available at Amazon.com) knows that people coming to Christ is important to me.

My friend who now loves the Lord benefitted from my problem even before he knew the Lord. Many Christians today who love our Lord are benefitting from Paul’s problem which has happened long before our great-great-grandparents were even thought of!

One day I was talking to someone about his cancer. What he is going through is horrible! If he can handle this then certainly I can handle my foot pain. If not then I’m a wimp! I prayed for his recovery. He’s OK now.

By now many of you are wondering why I wrote down Luke 21:11 up at the top of the article. To me it brings hope because Jesus is talking about the end of the age. Think of it; no more strokes, deafness, blindness, heart attacks, cancer or any other lousy suffering. When will this happen? No one knows; but I hope it’s soon.

Many years ago I used to be in the Washington Army National Guard. When I was on guard duty at Fort Lewis, in the very early mornings, it would often be cold, dark, and damp. At 4:30 in the morning (0430 for you military types) it’s quiet and you’re all alone. The minutes seem to drag on forever. You’re cold and then it starts raining. And there you stand, cold, wet and miserable. It feels like this could last forever. You know that the sun will come up, and when it does and after you get breakfast, the sun will warm the air, things will become much better.

Luke 21:27-28
27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
NIV

I know some believe that Jesus is talking about after the Anti-Christ or the False Prophet. I also know that some believe that Jesus will come before the Anti-Christ and have His people removed in the rapture. OK, fine. The point is our hardships and suffering will end.

I believe that as believers in Jesus, if we hang in there then eventually things will be better, much better. As I used to wait at Fort Lewis for the sun to come and warm the day; I now wait for the Son to come and save the day.

Hebrews 10:25
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
New Living Translation.