Stop the World, I Wanna Get Off!

Looking at our broken world it's very easy to become disheartened and in the words of the old song from the '60's, yell "stop the world I wanna get off"! 

Watching the former great nation of The United States of America tear itself apart in an almost apocalyptic orgy of political and social annihilation. Watching the inexorable rise of China as a "super-power" in every sense of the word. Watching a seemingly unstoppable virus wreck havoc on the peoples and economies of most nations. Watching much of the Christian Church side into a morass of dubious theology and just plain old fashioned avarice and soulish worship it would be so very easy and maybe even comforting to yell "stop the world I wanna get off"!    

Watching multiple church leaders fall (often jumping right in) into (usually unrepentant) sexual immorality, I am reminded of the words of an old (now departed) mentor of mine. He often said "it's the 3 g's that gets them... the gold, the gals, the glory". I would add another "g" to that list today.. "the guys" In a world were homosexuality is seen as a viable lifestyle by much of the so-called Christian West, many churches are now welcoming openly "gay" pastors and ministers. Interestingly, the other great Abrahamic Faith (aside from Judaism), Islam, abhors homosexual relationships. 

However Jesus would not have us "stop the world and get off"  He repeatedly warned us that times such as these would hapen and keep up happening until His return to sort the mess out!

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.1 Timothy 4:1 NIV

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 NIV

Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. Luke 21:36 NIV 

Is our Lord's return any nearer that is was last year, last decade, or last century? Yes...

But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Mark 13:32 NIV

Is it time to get off the world?    

What should we be about until Jesus returns...

First, we should be living in readiness. Jesus told His disciples to “Let your loins be girded (prepare for battle) and your lamps burning” (Luke 12:35). These were pictures of readiness in ancient times.

Second, we should be fully alert to our world and to signs of our Lord’s return. While some people obviously go overboard looking for the return of Jesus, that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be aware of the signs of the times. Jesus also told his disciples, “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes” (Luke 12:37).

Third, we should be working as we anticipate the day of Christ’s return (Luke 12:43). God has work and ministry for His people to perform. He wants us to give our best for His glory.

As the darkness around us gets darker, as nonbelievers get more and more desperate, searching for answers to the confusion and pain, we who know the way, and reflect the light of our Lord must shine all the more brighter. We are the light-bearers, that guiding signal in the darkness, that beacon of hope to a lost world. 

It's not a building euphemistically called church that will reach people, it's individuals talking to family members, friends and colleagues. That's how the gospel has always been spread, that's how it works.  Now is not the time to retreat, head for the hills, or yell "stop the world, I wanna get". Now is the time to gird up our, loins, polish our armor, shine the light and enjoin the battle.