With everything that’s going on in the world I have been
hearing a lot more whispers lately about this being the end of the world.  Some people are adamant that the events of
2020 clearly indicate that the Apocalypse has begun and the end of the world is
right around the corner.  I would like to
start by responding to all of these theorists by quoting a much loved Bible
passage of mine:  

“But about that day and hour no one
knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”

– Matthew 24:36.

Towards the end of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus tells his
disciples that even He doesn’t know when the end will come.  I doubt that this information from Matthew’s
gospel will actually stop people from trying to predict the end of the world
because this is just how humans seem to be wired.  We like to have the secret insider
information.  We like to be in on the joke, we like to claim to know the
truth about big important matters. We like to be helpful, and informed,
and secure, and in control and impressive.  I think this is a big
reason why so many people are quick to predict that the End Times are
nigh.  

If you ask me, I think it’s this human mindset that needs to
end.  The need to be in control, the need
to be unique, the need to feel special lives within us all.  It’s not inherently bad, but these types of
tendencies can quickly spiral out of control.
This way of thinking leads to greed and the oppression of others and all
sorts of self-centered behavior.  

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to
your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your
attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what
he wants from you, and quickly respond to it.”
– Romans 12:2

The truth about the word “Apocalypse” is that it doesn’t
always mean “the end of the world”.  The
word apocalypse simply means the ending of one chapter and the beginning of
another.   I think we all would do well
to end the chapter of self-centeredness that too often pervades our world.  Our calling is to focus on God and always
keep God at the center of our life.  

So have your own personal Apocalypse today!  Follow Jesus and His ways.  Let God be at the center of your life and in
control.   It’s a better a way to live
and it can change the world for the better.