Am I the only one who has gotten tired of the relentless “End Times” discourse?  I remember very clearly being there in kindergarten and hearing the teach tell us not to worry too much about mastering something because Jesus may return before we need to use it.  I recall a similar sort of discussion in my 4th grade Sunday School, in my 7th grade Gym class, and just about every single leaders meeting in a high school ministry I worked with. So much concern for the end of the world, but it really all seems for naught.

Bear with me here, but if Jesus is right about His return, then He should also be right about the circumstances there of.  In Matthew 24:44, Jesus says He is coming when we do not expect Him.  If we speak, then, at every turn of the return of God; what have we achieved?  If we honestly expect the end of things at this very moment, or at the next – have we not by our very actions worked counter to that occurring?  What does that achieve?

I have been often told that the coming end is a great motivator which spurs people onto great acts of ministry, but I have seen those same people years later working no great ministry, serving no people and waiting on God to end things so that their disappointment shall be gone too.  It is a wonderful thing to get your courage in line and go out into the world helping and hearing and ministering to all who have need.  Yet work on a deadline has its timetable.  It is a great thing to prepare the way of the Lord for Him.  All that must come to pass will, but not in our timetable and not in our way of thinking.  The foundations of this earth were laid without our consent and they shall be pulled up with or without our permission.  God shall move on His own, and in the end, it will be all of us who find it unexpected.

You may choose to argue the point.  You may find it to be absurd that we should ignore the coming end.  Jesus Himself told us to put our house in order and to stay awake and sober for when the bridegroom returns.  He did indeed command that, but what is more He commanded a life which lives a love of God and a love of people.  A life which lives out His actions, and models itself after His love and sacrifice is already ready already.  I cannot get my house in order without giving up on predicting the end of things.  To live a life like His, I must live here and now.  I must this very day take up my cross and follow Him – to whatever end.

~jcpunk