The weather has gone from unseasonably warm to freakishly cold and then back to (mostly) normal for this time of year in Michigan, all over the last two weeks. We know winter is going to happen, but the suddenness of the changes caught not only us humans, but also nature, off-guard.
On November 2nd, I took a picture of this maple leaf.
But one week ago, this is what we saw:
This week, predictably, the yellow maple leaves looked like this.
Our temperatures went from the 50’s in the daytime to lows in the teens (with snow) and then last Friday it was 62! We painted and set fence posts because it was so warm. But then Sunday. . .highs in the 30’s. It’s just so hard to predict.
It was a memorable first snow, though, with the bright autumn colors still there, peeking out from underneath the snow.
The sudden change in conditions created an interesting migration quandary last Sunday afternoon. On our way home from the park, we found a field with all kinds of birds waiting. Maybe they were preparing to take off on their flight to warmer climates.
God knows that we have a tendency to get comfortable, even in uncomfortable situations. We knew it was getting chillier, and we knew that it was autumn. We knew winter was coming. The air cooled down, but we became used to it. But suddenly, when we weren’t expecting it, the temperature plunged to 19F, and that killed off most every green thing.
The weather is a good reminder of how sudden change can happen. The Lord has been warning us not to get spiritually comfortable, but to stay awake and watch for Him.
“Watch out! Don’t let me find you living in careless east and drunkenness, and filled by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, as in a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep a constant watch. And pray that, if possible, you may escape these horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34 – 36 NLT)
In practical terms, how do we do this? We know what it means to watch, but what are we watching for? Is it possible that we might miss it when Jesus comes back?
No, I don’t believe that’s it, for when Jesus warned his disciples to watch out for impostors (who would also do miracles and perform amazing signs,) he said this:
“So if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or, ‘Look, he is hiding here!’ don’t believe it. For as the lightning lights up the entire sky, so will it be when the Son of Man comes.” (Matthew 24:26-27)
The whole world will know when our true Messiah comes back. There will be signs before Jesus comes back that are unmistakable. In that same passage, Jesus says that there will be a terrible tribulation during which many will die. And after it ends, the sun and the moon will go dark, and the stars will fall. And then, a sign will appear in the heavens, and the sinful nations will mourn, for they will realize they are on the wrong side. They will realize that everything they mocked was true, and it is too late. At that time, the whole world will know that Jesus is back.
We aren’t supposed to watch in case we miss it; instead, we are to watch the way a young daughter (or son) waits for her (or his) beloved daddy to come home from work. We are to keep it in the forefront of our minds, always thinking of Him. We watch with anticipation and eagerness, because when He comes, we will get to be with Him, and we will rejoice!
But we love this life, don’t we? It’s horrible to think that all these things that feel like home will be gone one day. But comfort yourself with this thought: Everything worthwhile, everything beautiful, everything that lifts your heart and your spirit, every person you love, every wonderful animal and plant (the trees!) you are connected to all came from God in the first place. When we love God more that anything else, we remain close to the source of all we love.
I have thought of that when I miss the ones I love who have died. They still exist and are with Jesus now. The Apostle Paul says that he would rather, “be absent from the body and present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-8) Pets we have loved and lost came from God. Beautiful melodies or artwork probably come from Him, for He inspires us to do good works. It is such a comfort that nothing good is ever truly lost, but we will find it again in God.
But Jesus warned us that some who think they are safe will not be recognized by Him.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast our devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you. Depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:21-23)
That verse haunted me for a long time. We ask ourselves if we know Jesus, but how will we know if Jesus knows us? But the answer is right in the verse: Jesus will only recognize us if we do the will of the Father, because that is what Jesus does. We cannot, by our own will, save ourselves by being good or doing good. We are saved by the grace of God, through our faith in what Jesus did for us.
“For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
We are saved from sin and it’s consequences when we respond to our Father God, who draws us to his Son, Jesus Christ. And the last verse above tells us that we were created to do good works that God prepared for us ahead of time. That is what it means to do the will of the Father in heaven: We get connected to Him through Jesus, so we can understand what to do, and then we can do the things He planned for us to do, when He directs us to do them. Doing the will of God is how Jesus knows us!
There is timing to consider, because all these things happen according to God’s plan, and God’s timing. We need to listen to Him so that we know what to do, and when to do it. It’s all about Him, not us. Our watching is to look for His direction, to plan for His return, and to focus on Him with longing and desire.
Most of the leaves have dropped, but there are a few tell-tale signs that warm weather wasn’t too long ago.
The Fullers Four 