Everybody is talking about the end of the world right now. According to Harold Camping today, May 21, 2011, Jesus will return. According to Jesus, no one knows the day or the hour. (Matthew 24:36)
I’m going to have to go with Jesus on this one. As a result we’ve chosen to spend our Saturday in a way that might be similar to yours. We’re going to the market. We thought we’d look at some tomatoes to add to the garden. Our lunch will likely be a grilled cheese from a local coffee shop. We’re planning on spending the day celebrating the gift of life we’ve been given.
Sometimes in our search for answers and understanding we forget the gifts that have been given to us. Howard Camping and his followers have spent so much time searching for the end that they’ve forgotten to celebrate the life they’ve been given. They’ve missed moments of blessing in their preoccupation with discovering the date of Jesus return.
As Christians we’ve been given a gift. The gospel of Christ. The good news. We know how much God loves us. We live in hope. We are free. As people who have received this gift we’ve also been given a mission
“Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20, The Message
We are called to serve. Called to teach. Called to share this good news. And in doing those things, Jesus assures us he’ll be with us until the very end. If we stop focusing on details like the time and place of Jesus’ arrival and instead put our energy into ministry, we might find Jesus meets us on our journey.
So let’s celebrate today for what it is, a gift from God. No one knows when the end will come and that’s okay. Until the end let’s serve others in Jesus’ name, love as he loved and be grateful for the many gifts God has given us.