Good Sunday Morning,
The End is Near! We have all heard that saying many times. It can apply, however, to many different things . . . to the end of a long game, the end of a long journey, the end of a hot fudge sundae, and just recently, perhaps you have used that saying and applied it to describe the end of covid related restrictions.
Preparing for the end of something can be difficult or it can be joyful. That’s because good things end, and bad things end. In fact, remember, the future's uncertain and the end is always near.
For some things, we have a rather good idea when the end will come, but for others, we just don’t know . . . and this includes our own existence. And in case you think otherwise, recall the words from Matthew 24:36 where we are reminded that “. . . concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.”
My buddy Frank once told me, “and now the end is near.” So, I asked him what we should do. Unfortunately, his advice really wasn't that helpful, to me anyway, and it probably would not help you either, because when I asked him what he personally did when he knew the end was near, he simply said “I did it my way.”
Since that advice is not especially helpful, then what are we supposed to do? For me, I would ask someone else. In fact, I asked my friend Peter and he gave me much better advice. He said that when the end of all things is at hand; be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers; above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins; show hospitality to one another without grumbling; as each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies – and do such in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ and to him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11. Yea, I agree . . . that seems like a better plan to me too.
So pour yourself a cup of coffee . . . acknowledge that you’ll need to accept the end of something before you can begin to build something new . . . then sit back, relax, and take solace in knowing that this is the day that the Lord has made; may you rejoice and be glad in it.
Jeff Bergstrom
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P.P.S. . . . and, as for this weekly message, this is the end, beautiful friend.
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