"where's the Ka-Boom!??"

 

12/21/2012

According to the Mayan calendar, this is it. The End. The end of hopes, of dreams, of plans...of life as we knw it.
There is THAT line...life as we know it. What the Mayans meant by "the end" could have pertained to the end of a season, the end of a lunar calendar, the end of "something," yet so many have latched on to the idea of the end of the world.

Keeping this in mind, I thought last night, as I tried to fall asleep, of many people for whom their everyday lives seem like "the end." People in war-torn countries, people in countries who have suffered famines, floods, illness, poverty. Even people you and I may know who have been given a devastating diagnosis. Who lost a job. Whose spouse asked for a divorce. People who are addicted to drugs...to alcohol....who are homeless...these people have lived "the end" everyday. If you were to tell them of the Mayan prediction, they would look at you in a strange way because they are living it...ALL the time!
So...let's say this WASN'T a hoax or misinterpretation. If today were your last day, what would you do?
Well, there it is. Because my friend...today IS your last day.
Yes...it is.
You don't have guarantees for tomorrow. Each day we hear of lives being taken far too soon in tragic ways. Those folks probably also thought they had forever...and forever was snatched away just like (snap of fingers) that! Think back one week, to Newtown, Connecticut. As parents sent their children off to school, as teachers prepared for a new day, they didn't even conceive of the fact that it would change so rapidly and with such force.

the doorway to a new day is right there...are you going through it? (picture taken by Daniel Olson)

Each day is a gift and a blessing, did you know that? Do you wake up in gratitude that you made it through the night? Do you feel grateful that we live in a relatively safe country with assurances that our lives are secure? That we have clean water, access to medical care and the freedom to say, think and worship as we please? When was the last time you smiled and said "hello" to a stranger? Or hugged your kids? or kissed your spouse in passion?
WHEN??
Make that start today! Today is a gift--that is why it is called...the present!

and this...is what we SHOULD be anticipating...not the end...but rather, the beginning of forever with a Savior!!!!