Beginning of the End

"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken." - Luke 21:25-26

We know (based on last week's readings) that we don't know when the end of the world is... that only God knows, and isn't telling. Continuing on that theme, Jesus tells us how we'll know it's happening - even if we don't know when it's coming.

But let's entertain the idea for a minute - what would you do if the end times were upon us? What if you were at the start of it, and recognized what was happening? What would you do? Indulge in your favorite food perhaps? Maybe travel somewhere you've never been? Buy that car you've always wanted?

I often wonder what I would do - and I've entertained all those ideas and more. But I've also thought about the things I'd want to fix - things that aren't things. Relationships that, for various reasons, fell apart. Repent for actions I've done that I knew were wrong. Help those in need, bring comfort to others, and share my faith with whoever wishes to listen.

Thankfully, those things can be done at any time - and while Jesus isn't painting a pretty picture of the end, he's getting us to think about it now - so that maybe we too will come to the same conclusion. That we don't need to wait until the mountains are falling before we mend broken friendships. That we don't need to wait for the stars to come crashing down before we say we're sorry. That we don't need to wait until the earth is shaking before we help others with their physical and spiritual lives.

That those kind of things can be done now - and that the only excuse we need to do them is our love of Christ. 

So what are you waiting for?