2012 - No Need to Fear

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. . . . Be still, and know that I am God . . . Psalm 46:1-3; 10

The end of a year and the end of a day in Florida 

What difference would it make if 2012 was the actual date for the world to end?  What changes would we make in our lives if the Mayan calendar really predicted the end of the world?  It could be utter chaos if everyone knew when the world would end, but it might also be a time of people mending relationships and loving and gathering together to review precious memories and celebrate special events they shared.  


For those who don't believe in God, knowing there was only a year left to live, they might get busy filling their "bucket list" with all the things they had always hoped to do and never had the time.  For those who believe in God, it will be a time to either get their lives in order, or a time to prepare to celebrate the great and dreadful day--dreadful for those not ready and great for those who are. 


Thank goodness we know that only God, the Father knows when Jesus Christ will come again, which will mark the end of the world as we know it and usher in a thousand years of peace.  He has given us plenty of warning about the signs to look for, and many are happening in increasing consistency and intensity, but we are told we have no need to fear if we are prepared.  Our life IS the time to prepare to meet God, whenever that will be. 


None of us know how long we will live, so the only thing we can do is to live each day as we choose to live it.  God is in control over the whole earth, but we are in control of our thoughts, our actions, and our attitudes.  What things are most important?  Do we spend our time on those priorities?  What regrets might we have if we left the earth today?


Just food for thought.  Kind of like writing your own epitaph exercise . . .


Below is a poem I wrote in 2001.  This type of reflection comes for me each year as I put away the Christmas decorations and sit staring at what seems like an empty house.  All the extra warmth and laughter--those jolly good times have drifted off into memories.  The cold walls have no more glow of soft lights and bright red, gold, and green festiveness.  The nativity scenes are back in brown boxes hiding away to burst forth again next Christmas to celebrate the hope we have because of Him who gave his life for us.  


As the first day of each new year draws closer, I sit down and prepare the calendars that will hang on the walls next year by writing down the birthdays and special events coming in the new year.  As I thumb through the pages one by one, I can almost see the next year passing before me.  I can never believe I'm putting away another year and attempting to organize another.  A year gone so quickly.  In a blink of an eye and I'm looking at the beginning of another unknown--the future waiting . . .

Life Cycle

Pages of the calendar,

Like winds on churning seas,

Turning, dropping, lifting,

As fall does to the leaves.

Younger years meander,

As trickling streams through trees.

Older years are water falls

Of memories to seize.

Embrace every eddy;

Flow over the rocks of pain.

This life like rivers going

Will circle around again.

I'd better get my sails up if I expect to make headway into this new year!