Grab It Now

You need not be a prophet, only a heart-led observer, to have a fair idea of coming tribulations. I learned some hard lessons about expectations and seeing storm clouds on the horizon. It is too obvious that this is a time of God’s wrath.

Some obvious things we expect: economic collapse, political and social turmoil, violence, along with natural disasters. What may not be obvious is that tribulation seldom comes all in one fell swoop. For example, an economic collapse comes in stages. It isn’t the kind of thing that is ever complete, so that you can record clear turning points, and discern a fresh start. Some of elements of collapse are inevitable, just the results of bad choices taken too far. Some of it is carefully planned by people with evil motives and hands on the controls. Even with the latter, the consequences won’t ever work out as expected. It is humanly impossible to know all the details, much less account for them.

It’s better to think of it as a long transition period from one kind of trouble to another. Human folly is boundless, and sin always has consequences that may drag on for generations. It would be a mistake to expect big events with clear labeling, as if you were playing some big RPG (roll-playing game) or computer simulation.

However, I think it’s safe to say that, if you aren’t already moving your stuff somewhere else, now is not the time to start. If you were able to reduce your life to living on wheels, then this doesn’t apply to you. And know that I am envious, because I wish I could do that. I’ve enjoyed following the stories of people who were blessed to have the means for mobile living. But for those of us whom God didn’t endow with a mobile lifestyle, it’s too late to consider finding another home.

A major element in serving Christ is knowing your place, in the sense of where your mission field is. I’m utterly certain I’m in the location God intends for me to serve through this tribulation. I’ll probably die here. I sense very strongly that all the other options have closed. Of course, you must follow your own convictions, but I’m convinced that, for the most part, a major shift is right on top of us, and completing a move to another place would require extraordinary resources.

Long time readers may recall that, on the day I shattered my right kneecap back in 2016, I knew something was coming that day, but had no idea what it was. Just a few minutes before I collided with that sweeper, I had stopped to pray and all I knew was to ask the Lord for strength to keep a cool head. He delivered, and I managed to stay friendly with the guy whose mistake put me in the hospital.

Well, I’ve got that kind of “spidey sense” that something is on top of us again, something that will affect all of us. There are too many different issues that could explode into serious trouble, so I have no idea what the specific problem will be. Oddly enough, it comes with a sense that we can do this, that we should face it with aplomb, because anything we might lose was never ours in the first place. It’s more important to simply keep your eyes on the Lord and respond quickly to the flow toward His glory.

Indeed, I believe that there’s nothing we can do to prep any further. There will be plenty of moments ahead when the Lord will nudge you about something and will provide in the day of need. Let me discourage you from fretting about something you may have forgotten. Our Father is keeping track for us. I’d say it’s more important to spend time in worship and prayer. Just let things go and enjoy some time with the Spirit of God. When you feel the urge to do that, you’ll know that you are about to enter a time when you’ll wish you could do it again, because you are about to get busy with things you can’t predict.

I’ll be looking for an outdoor prayer chapel today…