Anxious, overwhelmed and frustrated beyond words.

     I've just described about half of the population of our country.  If you asked me to go back even 20 years I wouldn't have said the same thing.  Along with education, we have had many experiences that bring us to that point of anxiety, overwhelmed and frustrated.  These three crowd our thought and keep us from experiencing peace, love, and joy.  It's not necessary to have a college degree in order to say with authority that we can have peace love and joy.  All we need to do is open any newspaper, listen to the news and hear the complaints of our friends, family and kids.  There are wars, rumors of war and feuding across the globe. 
     Yet, the end is not near.
     Where is the peace, love and joy?  Whatever happened to "hope"?  They are still there.  However, our denial and lack of faith often overwhelms us.  Most of us suffer from the malady of burned out.  We know what is good, right and positive in our hearts but our conscience doesn't register as first line of defense.  Not only is there a real physical war out there but there is an internal war as well.  Fear overshadows peace.  Depression is such a mountain in our mind that we are temporarily unable to see anything but overwhelming feelings of fatigue and exhaustion.  Where there were once the ability to love, suspicion and lack of belief moves love to the edge of our mind.  It's there that we cannot see love like we cannot see a planet in space.
     And yet, the end is not near.
     I was discussing the end of time before Jesus returns with a believer.  After explaining how the scenario had to morph into something worse to them, they exclaimed:  "Then why are we trying to make the world a better place?  If this keeps Jesus from coming back why do we do this?"  Very valid questions.  I'm glad the questions were asked.  Seeking answers to questions is the first evidence of caring.  Many Christians don't care enough about what is going on spiritually to do anything much less think about the future.  Yes, we know that Jesus is coming back and will take us home.  Yes, there are many prophecies that need to be fulfilled.  Yes, we need to acknowledge the enemy seems to be having a hay day with the world.
     Still, the end is not near.
     I'm usually a happy camper and perhaps you are also.  When people around us are positive, we tend to be positive.  When people around us are negative, we tend to be positive. That is until we are worn down and anxiety, overwhelmed and frustrated we give in and we too become negative.  It's in this context that we come to conflict over whether I am part or wholly the problem.  How much people expect you or I to "fix" is determined by who people think we are.  If we have a history like negativity and unbelief certain people will flock to us for insight or just to recharge heir negativity.  If we have a history of being positive, people will either want us to comfort them or be the object of their angst.  The world will become the authority and choices will be removed from our hands.  Nothing could go wrong.  Right?
     And so, the end is still not near.
     Putting off today that which we should have accomplished today keeps us from having the insight to see that we are getting through stuff in spite of our focus.  Jesus said "Do not let your hearts be troubled.  You believe in the Father, also believe in me."  Not bad advice.  When our location is being bombed by the enemy and there are casualties all around us; we are asked to be loving, have hope and positivity.  Yes.  We are.  Perhaps your life will be the only positive one that someone without hope sees today.  Maybe you and I are the chosen ones bringing hope to our world because we care.  Maybe the end of time is not an issue because we know Jesus.  Just for chuckles we can laugh at all that is going on because nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus who died so we don't need to feel anxious, overwhelmed and frustrated beyond words.
     Thus, we know the end can come at anytime for each of us or all of us collectively.  We should be about the business of the Lord to those within our sphere of influence.  Then we need to let go and let God be the author and finisher of not only our faith but the faith of others as well.  When it's time for us to go home or for the Lord to take all of us home, we will no longer care when the end comes.  For we already know how the Book ends. 
     Even so, come quickly Lord Jesus.