October 12, 2017 (Thursday)
Bugs Bunny started it, I suppose. His “What’s up, Doc?” became proverbial and a part of our daily conversations way back in 1940. Then a few years back a commercial for a product (I don’t remember what it was) presented several guys yelling into their phones, “Whazzup?” We often use the phrase, “What’s up?” when we want to know what’s happening.
Maybe you’ve been asking that question as you have seen several major hurricanes in rapid sequence wreak havoc. Then, all of a sudden, the media folks are screaming about a deadly earthquake in Mexico, followed recently by disastrous fires throughout the state of California. How sad to see entire neighborhoods disappear in the flames, or swept away by wind and floods. Why wouldn’t we ask, “What’s up?”
Some folks see such cataclysmic events as proof positive that the end of the world is at hand. One group even set a date, but the day came and went and when it became “yesterday,” the world was still here.
I don’t have to read a book about the end of the world to find out about end time events. I just read the Bible, and especially what Jesus Himself said about His return to earth. Just before he ascended to Heaven after His resurrection, his disciples asked him if He was about to do something spectacular. “Is it time, Lord?” they asked. His reply: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:7-8 NIV).
“Not for you to know!” How many times did Jesus have to say this for it to be true? Once was enough. Life is what it is, with its ups and downs. Our question should not be, “When is Jesus going to return?” Our question today should be, “How may I best serve Him today?” This question is already answered by our Lord: “Be my witnesses!”
Jesus taught us that He shall return and it can happen at any time. He taught us to be prepared to meet Him. Are you ready? Are you prepared? Do you know Jesus as your Savior? When He comes, will you be “found faithful?”
Will Jesus Find Us Watching?
Fanny Crosby, 1876
When Jesus comes to reward His servants,
Whether it be noon or night,
Faithful to Him will He find us watching,
With our lamps all trimmed and bright?
Refrain:
Oh, can we say we are ready, brother?
Ready for the soul’s bright home?
Say, will He find you and me still watching,
Waiting, waiting when the Lord shall come?
If, at the dawn of the early morning,
He shall call us one by one,
When to the Lord we restore our talents,
Will He answer thee, “Well done”?
Have we been true to the trust He left us?
Do we seek to do our best?
If in our hearts there is naught condemns us,
We shall have a glorious rest.
Blessed are those whom the Lord finds watching,
In His glory they shall share;
If He shall come at the dawn or midnight,
Will He find us watching there?
Read Johnny Melton’s blog, “Where Is God?” for insights into disasters.