Influencers Weekly Devotional

Go With ME

Embracing our Sacred Responsibility with Christ

Signs of the Time

“The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” Romans 8:19-22 (NIV)   Yesterday, I experienced my first earthquake. Of all places, it was in Northwest Arkansas, where I live. Two weeks ago, our state had its first earthquake in recorded history. Two earthquakes in two weeks makes a guy ask, “What’s going on here!?” The earthquake was small by comparison to the ones we have read about this past year and previous years, throughout the world. As small as it was at 2.6, it created a sonic boom and shuddered my house, which was 15 miles from its epicenter. I don’t want to be near a bigger one. But is that something I can control? Is this something I better start expecting, along with the rest of the Body of Christ? What’s going on here, and what am I supposed to do if these are “Signs of the Times?” I have a Christian friend who thinks the world is coming to its end. He has moved to a rural area in order to prepare for “the end,” by raising crops and becoming self-sufficient.   Like others Christians who follow scripture and have a certain persuasion one way or the other, he comes by his convictions using a scriptural “lens” that looks at economic conditions, world unrest, natural disasters, disease, pestilence, political changes and history.   I’ve listened to various points of view by some great Christian people who are persuaded in opposite directions. Basically, their point of view goes from “It could happen any day now, and you better prepare for it,” to “People have been thinking it will happen any day now for thousands of years, and we need to not dwell on it.” What is my point of view? What is yours? I agree with both views to a degree, for both are essentially right. However, it is not the fact of Christ’s return in a certain time or a certain way that I agree with, for I do not know, nor does anyone know, when, where, and how He will return. I only know He will return, and if the “Signs of the Times” are any indication, I think it is obvious that something’s going on here! So, if a great tribulation, or chaos, or whatever you call it, is close to taking place now, or in the near future, how should we plan for it? Here’s my plan: I plan to go and make disciples, for I am a Soldier of the Cross, and my marching orders will be the same then, as they are now. In fact, it will become even more essential to be out there on the battlefield, for it is in these conditions that a great campaign for the souls of mankind can be fought and won, and the Body of Christ is God’s plan for going to these people. I’d like to comment on the other question of the current events pointing to Christ’s return and what we need to do to prepare for the end? I must admit, I am not without some experience with this point of view, as well. In fact, about 30 years ago when our children were little, I was deeply concerned about them and the world they would live in, especially as I saw certain conditions developing. The Late Great Planet Earth was a best seller, and so was John Denver’s music. When you read a book that both excites you and scares you and listen to music that proposes a mystical bond with the mountains and nature, a guy might ask, “Do I need to take my family out of this proposed chaos and take us to a safe place where we can grow food, hunt, trap and survive the national and world crisis that is coming?” It was at this time I spoke to my best friend about this and even proposed we take our families away and do this very thing. My friend gave me a great answer and brought another point of view that I now use to process these reactions to the “Signs of the Times.” He asked me, “You want us to get away from people, raise our food, and find a safe place away from the chaotic world that will threaten our existence? Is that right? Let me ask you another question. How do we fulfill the Great Commission if we do this?” When I heard his question, it was like a strike in the heart of a set of bowling pins, as they blasted my solution and exposed my independence from God’s plan for how I should respond to “End Times.” The truth is: the Holy Spirit gave testimony to the truthfulness of my friend’s perspective.   What I was attempting to do was control my world by running away from it, thinking I could create a safe and secure place that wouldn’t be touched by the problems other people would experience one day. The Holy Spirit then spoke to my heart at the same time, as He said, “You will never be able to run to a safe place, for there will be none, except in Me. Instead, you must stand strong in the chaos, and trust Me, for it is for such a time as this you are being prepared.” I have no problem with my friend having a farm to grow food, if there is ever a shortage. It would be a good option to have available. I think it would be a good idea that we all learn to grow vegetables in our backyard or in containers and preserve them, as well having a little storehouse of food reserves in case storms, earthquakes or any other disasters might disrupt our economy and the current distribution system. I think my friend is doing it for all the right reasons. However, I do have an issue if one’s point of view in doing this is to become a survivalist and hoard these reserves, while the rest of the world goes to hell. Where is Christ in this point of view? How do we fulfill the Great Commission if our perspective is “It’s us against them?” I can tell you emphatically that I do not believe Christ inspires this way of thinking. Men, I am privileged to see another plan at work preparing us how to survive and thrive during this proposed chaotic period. I see the plan at work all over the world, as Christian men are being raised up who will become “wounded – healer – leaders.” These men are being challenged to their socks right now, and it is causing them to rethink their value system and their priorities. These men are being broken from habits and counterfeit godliness and are becoming the real thing. These men are having a tough time at present, as their pride is being broken, and their lifestyle is being changed because of job loss or market changes. They think their world is falling down around them, and the confusing thing is that it seems to be happening to those men who have committed to grow closer to Christ. This is not coincidental. Rather, it is a strategic work of our Lord God, for they are being disentangled from the things that choke the life out of them. He is giving them real life, and building men of great courage to face what comes. It is a process at work, preparing these men to be wounded/healers. These men will, one day, be leaders of the refugees who walk this planet and will take these lost souls to the banquet table before Christ.