Doomsday?

So, the Mayans’ prognostication didn't happen – yet. Some cartoons have been funny, especially the one that relates the Mayan calendar to an Oreo.  The Mayan Doomsday Calendar may seem like many ancient superstitions, we readily ignore – But as I fell asleep the other night, I wondered: Okay, what if . . .

Every human, the Bible says, bears the image of God, including the ancient Mayans. Their dread may have been evidence of His imprint.   Solomon saw this:

 Yet, God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

I believe every human heart knows something bigger and smarter has been at work, and we are torn between wanting to rule and being governed. Our restless hearts seek a resting place; we long for peace. But we resist God’s offer, preferring our own way; and are shocked when He, who is a Person, reacts. (Isaiah 65 )

Scripture never says explicitly when – or how God will sort things out. But we know from the Bible it has begun – with Christ’s coming, His death and His Resurrection and Ascension.  And we know God’s people are not exempt from the consequences and pain with which His plan comes.

Are the natural disasters like Sandy or the 2004 tsunami, or the massacre at Newtown, Connecticut, or the personal tragedies and stumbling blocks we encounter daily, God’s sorting our of His people and this world?  

I don’t know.

But, I believe that the tribulations we are enduring in America and in all the other nations are like persistent ringing bells: Alarming to many, annoying others, but sweet to some.   

Bells are a symbol of the Christmas holidays – church bells tolling, calling people to worship, and announcing a day celebrating Christ’s birth. But fewer Americans hear them; some Christians ignore them, or misunderstand their melody.

 . . .  Rather than declaring the suffering of their neighbors to be deserved, [Christians] should work and pray for the common good. (Peter Wehner)

I hear those bells,

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;

"For hate is strong,

And mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,

The Right prevail,

With peace on earth, good-will to men." (I Heard the Bells on Christmas Morn)

Mr. Longfellow and I may have our differences, but he was right about this: God isn’t dead or asleep. He is appealing now – showing modern types like us how Mayans feared destruction, and repeatedly He is showing the way through and from despair, disappointment and destruction.  (John 14:6 )

I believe God will arise and renew this world; He will not destroy it.  He will punish wrongdoers, and preserve those who are sheltered under His wings – those who freely chose to be chosen. (See the prophet Zephaniah )  And I believe He is at work now, too, doing things, permitting things to get everybody’s attention – to call us to, or back into a right relationship with Him.

 And I ask for ears to hear and a heart that responds to message given the shepherds long ago for both thee and me dear reader.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

(Luke 2 )  

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