As I sit here in sleepy Byron, Georgia today, the fierce heat of summer has faded. For most this is what they wait for all year. I really don’t understand it. If you are living in a place renowned for heat and humidity, I expect you would like those things. Yet, living here for about four years now, I have heard little else but complaining about both heat and humidity.
To tell you the truth, I don’t know why I would find that strange. When I lived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan folks complained about the cold and snow. Living in Washington and Oregon there were all kinds of complaints about rain. No matter where I have lived, it seems the old saying is true, the grass is always greener somewhere else. Problem is few ever venture out to find that greener grass, they are just content to stay and complain.
My experience has been a little different. Because of my vagabond trade, I have lived in many different places in this beautiful country. In some of those, like the more permanent residents, I took to complaining about the weather. Believe me, when I had to climb up on a building near Marquette, Michigan where the temperature had dipped to 10 below zero and walking ice laden beams, you could have heard me crying for quite a way. Bent over in the pouring rain tying rebar while working on a nuke plant outside Elma, Washington, yeah, my tears flowed as fast as the water running down my back! Saying nothing about the tropical heat of a muddy swamp now known as the Epcot Center, in Orlando, Florida or the blinding afternoon sandstorms in the Borrego Desert of Southern California building a water treatment plant for retired golfers. I have lived many, spring, summer, fall and winters of discontent!
So, what’s the big deal? Why do I bother writing about something that every person knows and complains about: the weather? Well, here’s the thing! When I went outside yesterday morning and the air was crisp with the first touches of fall and I didn’t have a jacket on, I thought of Adam in the garden of Eden. I know, it is a weird thought, but stay with me for a minute. It came to me that Adam and Eve, of course, were naked. No clothes, just walking around they must have been neither cold or hot, perfect temperature control. No air conditioners or heaters just a perfect breeze blowing over the amazing landscape. My next thought was one I have had a lot lately: how did we get here?
In the west the drought conditions and overbearing heat has led to another season of devastating fires. While hurricane after hurricane has battered the gulf coast in the south east, with rain and flooding. Around the world the weather seems to reflect our attitude of desperation as wave after wave of an out of control virus makes a shamble of our lives. Yes, all of this came to me just because I needed to go back in the house to retrieve a jacket, weird, huh? Maybe not as weird as you might think!
Lately, I have been seeing all the signs around me that this once perfect world is on its last legs. Hard not too, right? It could make me or you morbid or even worse fearful. But for me it has actually given me hope. Let me explain!
For the most part it is simple. I believe in the soon coming of Jesus Christ and know that before this spectacular event happens certain things must take place. Christian writer Ellen White put it this way:
“Christ upon the Mount of Olives rehearsed the fearful judgments that were to precede His second coming: “Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: … Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” [Matthew 24:6-8]. While these prophecies received a partial fulfillment at the destruction of Jerusalem, they have a more direct application in the last days.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:753 (1899).
Looking at the signs from this quote we can see that we ARE in the last days and the troubles and sorrows that face us ARE happening. For sure if we keep our eyes on the trouble, we will never take hold of the promise of hope:
“For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.” (Matthew 24: 21-22)
Jesus told us that this time is not going to be long and if we are clinging to him, as God’s chosen (because we have chosen him) we will survive to be once again in that place of perfect climate and peace:
“I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”” (Revelation 21: 3-4) (May I add, maybe somewhat Irreverently, no more complaining about the weather.)
The new heaven and earth are close at hand, my friends! So, there is no time to complain. No time to live in fear. Today we can live in hope. But just surviving and living is not enough. That is why I want to share this hope with you! The pain and sorrow of this world is real, but it is temporary! Today heed this verse:
“Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”” (Hebrews 3:15)
Jesus is waiting for you to turn to him! And there is no better time than right now. He will comfort you in this time of trouble and lead you to the world wear you will never need to go back and get a jacket again!
Blessings
John
10/5/20
