“ENJOY YOUR TIME AWAY FROM THE CHAOS HERE!”
My Response:
Oh Edgar, (fictitious name) there is likely no escaping the coming chaos, regardless of our location. I’ve been told the best place to be is always in the center of God’s will, rather than any specific geographical location.
We, including our parents and forefathers, have been so blessed to have lived here in North America free from wars and the subsequent chaos certainly not grappling with the transitioning dimensions of life as the world residents in Europe and Asia have continually experienced in recent centuries.
It may seem strange to some of you today, but Loretta & I discovered during our 51 years of marriage, and particularly during the past decade, that we both since grade school, have had the sense and awareness, though not from any specific teaching or reading or even with the luxury of clarity or understanding, that we may well experience at some point later in our lives the opportunity to choose Jesus in dimensions we can’t yet even verbalize or fathom. We are also aware that other Christ Followers we’ve encountered during life may possess a similar awareness, but as of yet we’ve not communicated that with them; we merely are “aware,” sensing that at some future time we will be nudged by the Spirit to be more public. During the past decade, Loretta & I have gained insights from our research via scripture, readings, podcasts, etc. confirming the need to prepare for these future uniquely trying & challenging times that we, our children and grandchildren may be about to endure in our transition from life to eternity. Lately I sense this awareness, though yet unspoken, is either descending upon us, or welling up within us, among we oldster’s ranks. Can anyone relate?
Christ Followers anticipate, may think, and even speak, of this future time of choosing as being a “forced necessity”, whereas I prefer the word “opportunity” since Jesus was indeed so invitational. I suggest you read Gary Miller’s quick read, “What Jesus Refused to Do” for greater clarity about our being his invitational ambassadors.
When offering today’s, as of yet anyway, “untethered (ungodly) generations of mankind” an invitation to come to Jesus, I prefer our model be patterned after his key example in Matthew 4: 19 as He invited the first four disciples, all fishermen, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for men.” However, in today’s polarized highly charged culture, it does seem the usual and customary evangelical approach draws more on the signs of the end times interspersed with media hype noisily hawking our coming to Jesus more as a “necessity” to secure our kingdom living fire insurance, all occurring in an atmosphere perhaps without the full understanding and discipleship needed to avoid being bewitched (deceived) as Paul so eloquently details for us beginning in Galatians 3:1 continuing on through the book’s remaining chapters.
Before we close, I, Merlin, need to tell you that between 2010 and my accident in 2018, I had the opportunity to binge listen to complete audible recordings of the New Testament in its various translations at least 7 times and the four gospels, maybe a dozen or more times. In addition, I read twice on my phone, largely in 5 minute time snatches or intervals of waiting on a timer between tasks when working, the book Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians Who Baptized Only Upon Confession of Faith, and Who Suffered and Died for the Testimony of Jesus From the Time of Christ to the Year A.D. 1666 Compiled From Various Authentic Chronicles, Memorials, and Testimonies, By Thielman J van Braght, Translated from the original Dutch or Holland Language from the Edition of 1660 by Joseph F. Sohm Edited for the Digital Edition By Dmitry Gosodarev www.solidchristianbooks.com.
As I recall, since my copy is back in OH, this book has over 1100 pages. Something of value occurred in my spirit while reading this book twice in that 8-year span, that I’ve not yet taken the time to reflect on, analyze and write about. Succinctly, the book’s content, even though I only encountered it by reading, (also available on Audible) was frequently inwardly physically, emotionally, and graphically disturbing. In hindsight now though, the book has produced a deep satisfying peace within me that “passes all understanding” of whatever some frenzied media preacher might concoct or serve up to scare us into their desired mode of action.
This voluminous book gives accounts of engaged onlookers watching the public burning of the theologically or culturally non-compliant Christians on the town squares of Europe before and after the Reformation who literally walked out and away from the onlookers and the safety of their family and friends, resolutely into the flames because of the dismal emptiness of their lives without Jesus. Presumably, they were so moved by the testimony and witness of Jesus in the lives of their now publicly singing friends and neighbors burning to their deaths, that spoke volumes beyond likely any words they’d ever shared over the fence or at the market. And likely, just as at Golgotha crucifixion 2000 years ago, a pervading hush fell over the crowd as the brevity and reality of God’s love was both spoken and witnessed. And such may just happen again.
BOTTOM LINE SCRIPTURES:
Consider first Matthew 10:28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell;” and then Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Peace, His Perfect Peace!
NEXT UP:
No idea. FYI, this post all began by me casually replying to my insurance man’s email late last evening when he said “Enjoy your time away from the chaos here!” That started me thinking. For once, I did have the time to write. Rare Indeed! An opportunity? Yes, though you’d be surprised how often we hear that or something similar about leaving the chaos in the U.S., when actually, Panama is also a powder keg. Just when did this form of “awareness” begin slipping into our farewells? Christians, get prepared to give an account for the Joy within you. Opportunities may soon abound again as before, during, and after the Reformation.