I'm pretty sure the biggest news in Christianity in the past few weeks has been a small group of people who have been fanatical about spreading the news that the rapture will occur on May 21st, 2011 at 6pm. Whether you believe in the rapture or when it will happen, we all have had at least one conversation about this group (even if the conversation was full of sarcasm).
It's easy to make this conversation about humor and how ridiculous these people are. It's easy to make a big joke out of all of this, and to point out all of their mistakes. Let me be clear, I think there is a lot of harm being done by this situation, but I'm not sure that everyone involved is "crazy". I think that they're misguided and misinformed, but I think they believe they're doing the right thing, even though I believe that they're causing more harm than good. However, it has caused me to focus on one issue that I think the majority of Christians get wrong.
Let me start by explaining that this post is as much for me as it is for the rest of you. Thanks for listening in on my conversation with God.
I don't believe that the world is going to end on May 21st, 2011 at 6pm. However, I do believe that it could end on May 21st. I believe that the world could end today. I believe that the world could end before I finish writing this blog post or before you get done reading it. The question isn't when do I believe the world is going to end (because scripture tells us only God knows that). The question is do I live like the world could end at any moment?
As I've watched the news coverage of the groups of people who believe in the May 21st theory, God has drawn my attention to one thing. These people aren't content with anyone being "left behind" when Jesus comes back. These people truly believe that the world is going to end tomorrow afternoon, and they've gone so radical that they've taken to the streets to let people know.
Once again, I don't think their methods are good or effective, and I believe their more detrimental to the cause of Christ than anything. I'm choosing not to judge their motives even though I'm aware that there are many people who do these things out of obedience, guilt, and even fear. What I can admire is the fact that they're so desperate for people to know about grace and about Christ that they're willing to risk humiliation in order for it to happen. My fear that a four minute conversation might be a little awkward keeps me from talking to family and friends.
I think what all Christians should ask themselves is whether they're taking advantage of every conversation they have. Do you leverage all of your influence in your relationships? Do you regularly focus on the urgency of the issue? Do you daily think about how today could be the day that Christ comes back? Are you confident that all of your family and friends are in relationship with Jesus Christ?
I have been incredibly convicted this week that I have been lazy with the relationships God has given me. We have to always remember we're not playing pretend here, this is real life. These are real people with real eternal destinations, we can't afford to focus on this temporary life. We have to be regularly focused on the urgency and reality of eternity.
When I think about how real and urgent this is, I become so thankful that Christ provided someone to talk to me about Him. And I'm so thankful that Christ gives me the opportunity to be that person for my family and friends. But I also feel the weight of the urgency of this issue.
I don't write this so that you'll feel guilty, because guilt doesn't lead to change. I write this so that you can be reminded and motivated to turn your relationships over to God. God has given you influence over certain people, but influence doesn't last forever. No one knows how long your influence will last. Choose to give your influence over to God, and allow Him to move through you to reach our world.
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