The term 9-11 is something we have all come to recognize as a sad remembrance in the USA’s history. It’s a reminder of how quickly our lives can be here today, and then gone tomorrow.

Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of people watching. I guess you could call me a connoisseur of the human race! And it’s not because I’m particularly nosey, or don’t have anything else better to do. I just find myself intrigued by the interactions of my fellow man.

As a result, I’ve made some rather interesting conclusions of everyday Joes like you and me. I’ve noticed how preoccupied many of us seem to be, everyone so deeply immersed in his or her own little world.

Let’s face it, you don’t have to go very far before you see someone’s head bent sideways against the earpiece of a cell phone totally captivated by the conversation, seemingly unaware of who or what’s going on around them.

Or, if you happen to travel the local freeway, it’s not long before you feel the up-close-and-personal bumper of the guy behind you, and in your rear-view mirror, you might interpret the heated message of, “Ok mister, either lead, follow, or get out of the way!” 

And, if we become the least bit sluggish in shifting our foot from the brake to the accelerator when a traffic light turns green, we hear a loud honk! I have heard some rather colorful words through my driver-side window when my pedal-timing was less than perfect.

Now please don’t misunderstand me. I know we live in a modern world where life moves at a rapid pace. Even the multi-million dollar advertising media does a swell job in giving us the impression that if we dare blink our eyes (even for just a moment) we might miss the opportunity of a lifetime!

The high cost of modern living and the demands of keeping pace with social status have pushed many of us to the brink of sanity. I often hear the repeated explanations of, “Oh, it’s no big deal, it’s simply the sign of our times” or, “There’s no need to worry, just chill… everything is cool!”

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” (2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV)

Christ’s second coming will be swift and sudden. Jesus’s purpose in telling us about His return was not in order that we might become caught up in predictions, or calculations about the date or the time, but to warn us to be prepared! Spiritual readiness cannot be bought or borrowed at the last minute. We are not to live irresponsibly by self-serving pleasure, but rather to use our time, talents, and treasures in order to serve God whole-heartedly in everything that we do. God, Himself has written the final chapter, and it culminates into true fulfillment and everlasting joy for those who love Him. The Book of Revelation beautifully concludes with the invitation of, “Come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)

Even in a modern world filled with anxiety, despair, selfishness, and immorality, Christ calls us to endure in our faith. Our own efforts to bring about a better world are important, but those results can never compare with the transformation that Christ will bring about when He returns. He alone controls human history, forgives sin, and will re-create the earth and bring lasting peace.

Now before you start throwing rotten tomatoes at me, I realize these passages are anything but a “feel good,” upbeat, positive message. In fact, they bring attention to the possibility we’re heading down the long, slippery slope of self-absorption!

But, as the famous saying goes, first the bad news, now … the good news.

In the book of Revelation, the Bible reveals a message of both warning and hope for all men and women of every generation. It concludes with the promise of Jesus Christ’s soon return, and offers a beautiful invitation to drink now of the water of life.

Well maybe that’s all true, but perhaps it’s time for some of us to take a good, hard look at ourselves and ask some very important questions, like three simple words:

Where’s – the – love?

I can tell you where the Bible says the love is. Our brother Timothy communicates it very well in the Scripture when he says,

Eternal life is available to us today, only because of what Jesus, the Lamb has done. Will you trust Him today to secure your citizenship in the New Jerusalem that is soon to come? 

He longs to bring this message to everyday “Joes” like you and me, and is waiting even now … and all you need to do is say, “Come Lord Jesus!”

Can God change your life?

God has made it possible for you to know Him and experience an amazing change in your own life. Discover how you can find peace with God.

Author Missy Butler