Who Knows? No One!
“But the exact day and hour? No one knows that, not even heaven’s angels, not even the Son. Only the Father knows.” ~ Matthew 24:36 The Message
Forsythia flower blooming in Woodstock, VA November 2, 2024
Sports Illustrated had a regular article “This Week’s Signs of the Apocalypse,” which highlighted unusual or outstanding occurrences in the world of sports. It was always an interesting read. Around the same time, the Left Behind Series of books by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins came out. The books were religious thrillers based on the authors’ creative but not necessarily theologically accurate notions of the end times. Jesus told his followers that no one knows the exact day and hour aside from God.
I don’t know about you, but all these years later, I will read or hear or see something that makes me wonder, “Is this the beginning of the end?” The news often stirs those thoughts. With wars in Europe and the Middle East, floods and droughts around the world, and an election cycle that promises “the end of the world as we know it,” I still find myself wondering if this is the beginning of the end of the world.
Last week was full of things I thought I’d never hear or see, including outrageously insulting words from candidates who are definitely old enough to know better, and weather that can’t decide if it is summer or autumn. While walking in the morning, I was rounding a curve on Hollingsworth when I spied the yellow bloom of flower on a forsythia bush. Some of the bushes leaves were turning autumn red, and low and behold, three small flowers bloomed. In November! In the Shenandoah Valley. My first thought was “This week’s sign the apocalypse is upon us!” The thought lingered as anxiety for the world, and in particular for our nation’s General Election, taking place tomorrow. I fear that the results will be questioned and challenged until 1:00 pm on January 6 when the vote is confirmed by congress. Lord may that be the end!
There is an old Jewish story about Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai, who lived in Jerusalem when it was being sacked by the Romans and cleverly taught the priority of planting. “If you should be holding a sapling in your hand when they tell you the Messiah has arrived,” he advised, “first plant the sapling, then go out and greet him.”
In other words, carry on with this amazingly ordinary life. Plant a tree. Make a habit of paying attention to the gifts of sunrise and sunset. Notice the moments of beauty and grace in daily life; a great cup of coffee; birdsong; children laughing; the presence of a dear friend; the crazy devotion of a pet; the miracle of each new day. Choose life and live it as the precious gift it is. right after you vote, if you haven’t already!
Jesus, who was wisdom embodied said, “Which of you by worrying can add a single hour to your span of life?”
Enjoy the unique gift of each moment by living. Perhaps those little yellow flowers on the forsythia bush were doing just that. ~ Anne
Wayfinding 