What does it take to get our attention? Seriously, think about it. What can jolt us out of moving in the direction that we’ve been going? When we’re entrenched in paths that are unhelpful at best or destructive at worst, it can take a tidal wave of change or pain for us to stop, evaluate, and move in a new way. The recent upheavals in our society have shaken us into reevaluating our priorities and commitments, challenging us to consider how we live our lives.
Every one of us is wired to desire acceptance, security, and love. But as human beings, we often use power, control, and self-promotion to fulfill these needs. In reality, despite our best efforts, we remain insecure. Scripture has stated for millennia that God is the Creator and sustainer of our lives. He is the One who can give us the forgiveness and acceptance we crave. Yet, the book of Romans tells us that people throughout history have suppressed the knowledge of God as Creator (Rom. 1:18-20). However, our walls of denial regarding God’s work in our lives crack open when challenging times hit.
People are wondering what’s going on and if they have their priorities straight.
With the unsettling events of the pandemic and the recent riots, there’s been a resurgence of interest in what the Bible says about the end times. People are wondering what’s going on and if they have their priorities straight. This pain and disturbance can bring us to the place of acknowledging God. C. S. Lewis famously speaks to this effect, “Pain insists upon being attended to. God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Suffering and loss press us to reflect on and return to our Maker. The question is…what will we do?
In the book of Revelation, we see a future vision of how people will respond to catastrophe in the end times. Chapter 6, as an angel opened the sixth seal of God's judgment, says that there was a great earthquake; the sun became black and the moon like blood. The stars of the sky fell to earth, "and every mountain and island were moved out of their places" (6:12-14). At this, from the strongest to the weakest, people took refuge amongst caves and mountains saying, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of their wrath has come and who is able to stand?” (Rev. 6:16-17). You see, when the pressure is on, they know; humanity knows that there is a God in heaven. He is the ruler of creation, and judgment has come upon those who have rejected His salvation.
We learn later in the vision of Revelation 9:20 after even harsher judgments have come that mankind does not react to the situation by allowing disaster to become dependence on a loving God. Instead, the Bible states, "The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent." Today, upheaval has created an opportunity for us to acknowledge God. He is the Father who sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins so that we can be forgiven and have eternal life. Let’s allow disruption, pain, and loss to turn our hearts and minds to the only One who can provide lasting acceptance, Shalom (peace), and love.
Study the book of Revelation: Come Lord Jesus: A Woman's Walk—Spirit, Body & Soul—Through the Book of Revelation
