Our pastor gave a great sermon on 2 Peter 3. To introduce the sermon, he explained four types of people and their attitudes towards the world's condition. The first one is the Pessimistic Rooster. They think the apocalypse is just around the corner so they need to do everything they can to be prepared. The world is bleak and getting bleaker by the day so begin storing water and going off grid.
The second type of people are the Optimistic Owl.They believe utopia is coming and society is just getting better and better. They believe that man can out think all of their problems and will be able to solve everything the world is presently facing. With new energy sources, lifestyles being redefined, and governments growing, life will definitely become better in their minds.
The third type are the Pragmatic Chickens. They are simply too busy to think about it. They are busy working, making money, raising children, etc. to concern themselves with the world around them. They just stay focused on the task at hand and never listen to the news. They'd just rather focus on their own problems than concern themselves with the world's.
The last type are the Fearless Eagles. They see the clear, long range vision of heaven. They know that we are "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" {Hebrews 11:13} and that this earth is not our home. They realize it will be all burned up someday {2 Peter 3:10}. But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint {Isaiah 40:31}.
I don't believe we should go around with a doomsday attitude. We should be the most joyful people around since we have a hope and a future! Yes, we can prepare but we must NEVER worry. Our trust must be in the Lord Most High and His plan for the world. He is our Provider. To think that our world is getting better is to be in lala land. We see crime and immorality increasing by the years. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold {Matthew 24:12}. You'd have to be blind to not see the deterioration of the world around us. Man's thinking cannot and will never solve the world's problems! It doesn't mean we need to fret about it, but we must use our time wisely.
The days are short, my friends. We must be wise with our time. We must love those God puts in our path in hopes that they see Jesus living inside of us. We should be living our lives serving those around us; our families, our neighbors, our friends, and our church. This is what God requires of us; not that we try to solve the world's problem or fret about them but to be doing His will.
Logging you in...
Patt · 541 weeks ago
How about you?
Lori Alexander 122p · 541 weeks ago
Patt · 540 weeks ago
Maybe some people confuse ideas about what we are trusting God to do, things God really will do (love people, make all things new, never leave or forsake us, etc) with things we imagine he might do, that he hardly ever does (make situations 'all better', change other people's hearts and minds, prevent the sins of humans from happening or from being effective). God, in his sovereignty has chosen to respect the power of choice that he gave to humans. I can't pray away that decision! He's God. If he wants to respect human freedom, that's his call.
I have young kids, and I maintain a general awareness of world events, but I really don't know what there is to be frightened of as a believer who actually expects resurrection... Death? (Not really) Suffering? (I guess, a little) Grief? (Ok, but I've seen enough people get through it with God that I'm sure it's a path we could walk if I needed to)... I just do my day-to-day business, and that's just fine.