So. No Rapture Yet.

But it did get me to thinking some deep thoughts, so while the world is laughing at that guy, I wonder if there are others out there who may have had life-altering moments, when considering the end of the world.

I was at the supermarket. Nothing special there. But thinking about this guy, and the end of the world, I saw things differently. So much of what exists here is, in the big picture, completely unimportant. Yes, it's important for life here on earth - no denying that. But in considering Christ's return, will I really care about whether Pringles are 2 for $5?. I was looking at the other shoppers, and just thinking - I wonder if she knows Jesus? I wonder if this person will be left behind? - and it started to make me feel very, very sad. Grieving for all those who would be left behind. And not just strangers, either - people I love, people I know. People who either don't know about Jesus, or people who know and don't care. I got out to my car, and I was feeling almost paralysed by grief. And then I thought - wouldn't that be just what the devil and all his little pals would want? Then I started to get mad, and indignant. I said to myself (and I'm sure I looked a bit odd, sitting in the car by myself having an animated discussion!) "if this IS the last 30 minutes on Earth, I'm going out fighting." I felt moved to pray like never before. And for what could possibly be the first time ever, I truly believed that God could and would answer my prayers. I felt like he really heard me. I prayed loudly, boldly. And then I went home, and in spite of the workload in front of me, I felt such purpose, such joy in doing it. Sure, I burned the dinner, and it was all but inedible - but it was made with love.
See, (and this is the big conclusion I came to) I may not be able to run off to Borneo to be a missionary. That's not my calling. My calling is this: to be a wife to my husband, to be a mother to my children, and to care for my home, to serve my church as best as I can, and to use my talents to uplift and encourage and love everyone I encounter. I want Christ to shine through the cracks in my humanity, to bring light to those who know only darkness. And by serving cheerfully, wholeheartedly, from an attitude of worship, it surely will.
Not having been raptured, I'm all too aware now that I am living on borrowed time. Because the last days will come. That we know. But no one knows when. And truly, I might die before then. The question is, will I use whatever time I have left on this earth to glorify God, or glorify myself?