This Could be “The Day!“
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(INTERNET CONNECTION PROBLEMS YESTERDAY -- COULD IT BE THAT SATELLITE I'VE BEEN NOTICING IN THE MORNNIGS IS A BIT TOO CLOSE TO THE MOON(?))
2 Peter 3:3-10
3. First of all you must understand this, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own passions 4. and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things have continued as they were from the beginning of creation." 5. They deliberately ignore this fact, that by the word of God heavens existed long ago, and an earth formed out of water and by means of water, 6. through which the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7. But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist have been stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8. But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9. The Lord is not slow about his promise as some count slowness, but is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and the works that are upon it will be burned up.
By the time this letter was written, the “first generation” Gentile converts has probably died. So those “scoffers” who had believed, with the “faithful” that Christ’s second coming was imminent, had some pretty powerful ammunition for their argument that the prophecy was wrong, and the believers had been deluded. Much of society had reverted (or remained in) paganism and fallen away from the demands of the converted Christian lifestyle.
It is challenging today to live in a world of scoffers as well! Everything Christ taught is counter-cultural -- and it becomes more and more so as time goes on. The longer I live, it seems, the farther and farther away my world runs from the fundamental truths of the Risen Lord. Society today tells us that we deserve instant gratification on every level and in every way. Work hard, play hard, live hard -- and grab for everything you can! How exhausting that becomes! How difficult to stay centered and in relationship with our Creator!
In the age of instant messaging, drive thru pharmacies and fast food restaurants, in the age of the fax machines and e-mail, palm pilots and satellite communication, it’s almost impossible to hear the “still small voice” or to even have a few quiet moments reflecting upon the many blessings in our lives. Let alone remembering the source of all blessings!
Oh, my friends, “with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” Time and space have no meaning to God -- not as we perceive them! Our challenge is to redefine our time and how we spend it. Even Jesus went off alone to pray and commune with his Father. How can we, less than divine, survive without doing the same?
Do not lose hope! Don’t wait too long, though! Because a thousand years is also like a day, and today just could be “the day!”
My prayer this day is that you find a few moments to be alone with God. And that you can “just breathe” in his calming love and quiet peace.
Mary
