May the mumbling commence!
Today is Monday, December 19, 2011. According to the Mayan calendar, we are but a year and a couple of days short of the end of the world. The popular film 2012 illustrated a possible demise of planet Earth. I find both the postulation that December 21, 2012 will be the end of the world and the movie 2012 difficult to find plausible.
What is my reason for doubt? Jesus told his disciples that only God knows when the end will come – neither the angels in heaven nor Jesus knew the date. That’s why I find it hard to believe that the Mayans have the inside scoop. There have been many other possible ends of the world dates that have come and pass. Christians need only to be prepared and be alert. Read from 1 Peter chapter four:
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (Verses 7-11)
Yes, even back in Peter’s day the Day of Judgment was near. The end of the world as we know it is on the brink of destruction. Praise God! A better day awaits us. There is no need to panic or buy up expensive shelters in missile silos. The imperative for faithful Christians is to be clear minded and self-controlled in order to pray.
The imperative continues in the call to love one another deeply – this love will cover a multitude of sins. Yes, there’s love again. How can anyone miss its importance? The love thread is at least a mile wide through the Scriptures – both the Old and the New.
Offer hospitality. Now, there’s a dying art in most places in America. How often do we invite each other for a meal in our homes? How often are we willing to provide shelter for someone passing through? How often are we willing to let the broader community use the church building? And no grumbling about the potential damage done to church property.
We are called by Peter to use our gifts to serve others. When we use our God-given gifts we help to faithfully administer God’s grace to others. When we speak, we are to measure our words because sometimes we will be speaking the Word of God to the people around us. Yes, serve with the strength that God provides.
We do these things not to receive the praise, but we pass any praise along to God. What a way to bring God praise in this time of Advent! It is the kind of waiting that I like – active waiting!
And for those of us from the Mennonite or Brethren traditions, I believe we need to concentrate more on the speaking part of the equation. Mennonite and Brethren traditions usually excel in serving and witnessing through our lives, but there is more to it. Otherwise, people who benefit from our work may wrongly praise the messenger.
Wait a minute! Have you ever heard of a messenger who doesn’t speak? Think about that for a moment! How can the message be accurately received? Yes works and life and words need to be a beautiful concert, but each individual instrument must be playing to achieve that beautiful sound.
Let’s go back to 1 Peter chapter three for a lesson on speaking: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” (Verses 15b-16) There you have it. Attitude, words, and actions working in concert to bring praise to the Lord Jesus the Christ and to God his Father.
The end is near – whether the end comes on December 21, 2012 or before. Be prepared to give the reason for your hope in Jesus Christ with gentleness and respect. Be careful what you think, do, and say so you can keep a clear conscience. May Jesus be praised!
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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