If only the Mayans were right

If only the Mayans were right.

I'm not not talking about their practices or beliefs or general interpretations on life of course.

But rather about tomorrow. How amazing would it be if the world really did end tomorrow?

If Friday, December 21 was the end of the world that would mean that on Sabbath, December 22, I could see my Grandparents again.   It would mean that, should Christmas be celebrated in heaven, this December 25 we could sing O Holy Night with the angel choirs.

It would mean that the new year would bring a truly new life without the need for resolutions.

So while I'm pretty clear that our sun will rise on December 22, I can't help but feel a bit of disappointment with that statement.  

The wait continues for that day which C.S. Lewis describes in allegory in the last page of the Last Battle,  "But for them it was only the beginning of the real story.  All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and title page: now at least they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before."

But if we wait it must be for good reason.  Peter reminds us in the text below:

"But the Lord is now slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.  He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
2 Peter 3:9

So until the day dawns and the morning star finally rises in our hearts, may we be faithful and may we continue to learn how to love God and one another.

The Greatest Risk of All

I'm scheduled to have Lasik surgery this week.  It's something I've thought about for years now and the pieces have finally come together for it to happen.

The thing is, even though I feel pretty confident in a positive outcome, there are risks involved.  Scenarios have been playing out in my mind over the last few days, what ifs, thoughts I probably shouldn't be dwelling on.

The reality is that however small the risk, there are still risks involved in any surgery. In this case the likelihood of a positive outcome significantly outweighs the very slight possibility of a problem.

But yet, even knowing this, the fear of the unlikely comes close to contriving me to cancel this surgery despite all the very good reasons I have to go forward.

Risks are hard.

And then I start to think about another risk that was taken over 2000 years ago.  Perhaps even before our world came into existence.

From the far reaches of the universe, in a city yet unknown to mortals, surrounded by thousands of stars, another risk was considered.

Are the people of Earth worth saving?  And at what cost?

For before there was a Christmas birth.  Before there were miracles.  Before the blind saw and the lepers were healed.  Before Gethsemane, and before the Glorious Resurrection, there was a choice.

Even though the risk was small, and the reward was great, there was still a risk.  What if clothed in human flesh, Jesus had sinned just once?  A horrible unlikely thought.  But a risk.

I don't think we can fully realize the magnitude of this Divine decision.

What if God considered, as I have in my tiny choice, is it worth it?  Should I cancel this procedure all together and be happy with what I already have?

But He didn't.  He choose to come.  And He proved to be Perfection itself, living life on Earth without blemish.  Never wavering, never taking His eyes off His Father and the glory set before Him.

No wonder he is King of Kings and Lord of Lords; our Conqueror, our Savior, and our Friend.

How grateful I am that we were worth the risk and that because of His eternal victory, we too can be more than conquerors through Him who loved us.