Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15-19
Isaiah 40:9-11
Philippians 4:4-7
John 1: 19-28
How often do we let anticipation take over our lives?
We get to a long-awaited time of relaxation and immediately our minds time travel to the end of the rest period.
We purchase something new and begin bemoaning the fact that it will, before we know it, be old and out-of-date.
We're just funny that way.
It's almost as if we can't toleratre or allow ourselves becoming engulfed and living in the moment. We're too busy racing through time in our minds to find an end to the moment.
We spend so much time looking for the end, we miss the beginnings...
In the book of John, the Jewish leaders sent by the Sanhedrin to question John the Baptist about his true identity were convinced he was the representation of the end of time. They became quite agitated when be broke the news to them that he wasn't Elijah returned to Earth, and that he wasn't the Prophet coming to Earth to declare its end. They were actually disgruntled when John informed them he was preceding the Messiah--the true Messiah that wasn't coming to destroy the world, but to save it.
They spent a lot of time looking for the end--they missed the beginning...
In Deuteronomy, God proclaimed that there would be, as a gentle reminder, a prophet of each generation proceeding Moses that would share the good news of a Messiah that would come to us. And not just a Messiah--the Messiah. Still, as history serves, as soon as one prophet came into being, people immediately started looking for the end of time, fully missing the Messiah's time in their moments of life. And, as in verse 19, in all their searching for the end, they failed to heed God's words, "If anyone does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name, I myself will call him to account."
Looking for endings--missing beginnings...
We don't need to dwell on the end. It's in God's hands. We're not in charge of of arranging for the next prophet or the next coming. All the itinerary is taken care of for us. We needn't start that proverbial "first day" of vacation only to dread the end.
And how do we know this?
"He tends his flocks like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young" (Isaiah 40:9-11).
That's why.
We're in good hands. Tender, gentle hands that have only our best interests in mind during our short journeys here on Earth and for our eternal lives beyond.
No need to dread...
No need to worry about endings...
Stop looking for all the endings in life--there are beginnings all around.
Breathe.
Enjoy.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I say it again; Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all, the Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God. which transcends all understanding, will guard your heats and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:4-7).
Peace be with you.
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