Facing the Unknown

There are a lot of things I don’t know.  There are a lot of things you don’t know.  In fact, the older I get and the more I learn, the more I know that I don’t know much.  I can’t even begin to imagine how vast are the things that are able to be known.  Shoot, if you only looked at all of the things that can be known about mathematics, most of which I don’t know, you’d be overwhelmed.  I would love to present the statistics on what percentage of things there are to be known that we actually know, versus the percentage of knowable things that we don’t know.  Trouble is, I don’t know that either.

Sometimes the unknown can be exciting.  Like when Paul and I went on a cruise this past December.  I’d heard about cruises from those who have been on one, and I’d read about cruises from those who sell them, but unless you’ve been on a cruise, you don’t really know what it’s like.  You do, however, expect it to be a good thing.  Counting down the days until the cruise was exciting.  The cruise line we chose even puts a countdown at the top of their web page that tells you how many days until your cruise begins.  It was fun to see the countdown get smaller and smaller. For the most part, our cruise did not disappoint.  We had a good time.  I’m ready to go again.  I wonder what the next one will be like.

Other times, what is unknown can be a source of stress and anxiety.  A woman at my church recently experienced this type of unknown.  Her sister had been very ill and took a turn for the worse a week ago.  The family knew it wouldn’t be long, but they didn’t know when their loved one would pass.  It happened this morning.  There is now grief where the stress of the unknown was. 

Facing the unknown is something we deal with every day, we just don’t always think about it.  We don’t know what’s going to top the news tomorrow.  We don’t know for sure how we’ll feel tomorrow.  And even though the weatherman is calling for another sunny, beautiful day here tomorrow, I don’t know for certain that it will be.  Storms down here on the Gulf Coast can blow up before you can turn around and spit.  The storms of life can blow up just that quickly as well.  You just don’t know.

I’m facing my own potentially stressful unknown at the moment.  Sometime tomorrow or early next week I’ll receive a phone call from my oncologist, telling me how my biopsy turned out.  Truth be told, when I went in for a follow-up visit just two days ago, I didn’t know I’d have to go through another biopsy at all.  I feel great.  It was a surprise.  An unwelcome surprise with an unwelcome unknown to go along with it.

I have figured out how best to handle the unknowns of life.  You have to cling to all of the things you do know.  For instance, I know that cruise ships have life boats – lots of them.  I know where the ibuprofen is in case I have a headache tomorrow.  I know which room in my house is the safest in case a severe storm blows up.  I know that God comforts those who mourn when a loved one is lost and that, if they knew Jesus, we’ll see them again.  And I know that no matter what the biopsy shows, God is good, that He loves me, and that He won’t leave my side, even for a nanosecond.  And with just that knowledge, I can face a lot of unknowns.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  Deuteronomy 31:8

Lord, I thank you that you are with me; because of that, I can face anything…

The End of Days?

Unless you’ve been living in a cave somewhere, you know of the tragic events that have unfolded in Japan these last few days.  A terrifying earthquake followed by a tsunami and now the possibility of a nuclear meltdown with unimaginable consequences.  It’s hard to make sense of it all.  Over 10,000 people have died and that number is certain to grow just from the bodies that haven’t been recovered yet.  I keep praying the Lord intervene with the reactors – I can’t wrap my mind around the worst case scenario. 

In light of the recent happenings, I’ve seen a slew of Facebook postings from many different folks who are pointing out that this is all a part of Biblical prophecy and that we shouldn’t be surprised.  I would agree that these happenings are signs that are mentioned in the Bible that will occur as the day of Jesus Christ’s return draws near.  That these events are happening is not what surprises me.

What does surprise me is the confidence in which several people place these posts on their walls.  In fact, they seem a little “in your face” to others who may doubt the Bible as the Word of God – a sort of “See, the Bible IS true, so there!” attitude.  This would indicate to me that they personally believe the Bible is true and that prophecy is indeed being fulfilled.  So you would think that if a person had such a confident belief in the veracity of the Scriptures, you’d see the whole truth contained therein born out in the way they live their lives.  Now for some of the individuals who have placed such posts, their faith in God’s Word is clearly evident.  All you have to do is spend a little time with them.  Unfortunately for some others, their confident posts regarding end-time prophecy seems to be the only indication that they believe the Bible at all. 

The Bible clearly states that those who truly love Jesus are the ones who obey His commands (John 14:23-24 and others).  The commands of Jesus are clear:  “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. ^ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ^ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  (Matthew 22:37-40)  How do we know when someone is following Jesus’ commands?

Jesus said we can know who really belongs to Him by the fruit their lives produce.  He said,

^By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ^ Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ^ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ^ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ^ Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matthew 7:16-20)

I’m afraid our churches are filled with fruitless Christians, if there is such a thing.  I think lots of folks believe they are bearing fruit.  But when you examine the kinds of things their lives produce, you don’t see much that is lasting, which is the only kind of fruit we are to bear (John 15:16).  How can we tell?  Well, the fruit of the Spirit is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).  These things are conspicuously absent from the lives of so many who declare themselves Christian.  Instead I see hatred, depression, strife, impatience, cruelty, a desire for evil things, lack of commitment to anything or anyone but themselves, harshness, and lack of any restraint, among many other ungodly things.  Beloved, this should not be…

When we love God with everything that is in us, we spend time with Him.  That means reading His Word, praying, and praising Him.  Loving God with all that we have also means heeding the Word that we read.    This should stand as a central commitment and priority in a believer’s life and it will be evident if this is happening.  Conversely, it will be evident if it is NOT happening.  We show a complete disregard for God’s Word by a) not reading it, and b) not doing what it says.

I like the question Joyce Meyer often asks, “Are you just dating Jesus, or are you married to Him?  Because you don’t get the Name until you’re married.”  I’m married to a wonderful earthly spouse, Paul.  We know each other very well, but we’re still growing together year after year.  I bear Paul’s name.  We are legally bound together.  My relationship with him gives me certain rights and also certain responsibilities.  I’m also married to a Wonderful Heavenly Spouse, Jesus.  I bear His Name as well.  We are spiritually bound together.  He knows me better than I know myself and I am continually growing in my knowledge of Him.  My relationship with Him gives me certain rights and also certain responsibilities.  It is within this relationship that my ultimate security and happiness lies. 

There is danger and turmoil in many places throughout the world.  However, I guarantee you that this evening, the most dangerous place to be isn’t a location anywhere across the globe.  The most dangerous place to be is to be deceived about your relationship with Jesus.  To claim faith in the Holy Scriptures and then to live as if it doesn’t exist is a far more dangerous place to be than in the middle of an natural disaster or a war zone or a nuclear meltdown.  Jesus had more to say right after he spoke about bearing fruit from Matthew 7 above:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ^ Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ ^ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

I am afraid that many who believe they have a relationship with Jesus will be met instead with the words above.  That breaks my heart more than anything.  I often wonder if it will be better on the Day of Judgment for those who never claimed to be a friend of God than for those who claimed a faith they never possessed.  I mourn that there will be either when Jesus returns.

Lord, even as I mourn for and lift up those who are suffering in Japan this evening, I am grateful to You that, at least for this moment, my family and I are safe.  Knowing that could change in an instant, I am so thankful that even death will not separate You and I. And I pray that those who have never made a real commitment to you will have their eyes opened before it is too late…