What will 2010 bring us?

The year 2010 is upon us and 2009 is now just memories and behind us. What an interesting and often anxious time to be living here on earth. It sometimes seems that the world is going sideways in a hurry with fears of economic collapse, wars, terrorism, the breakdown of the family, famine, natural disasters - the list can go on and on. The thoughts and concerns over this overwhelming list could tend to break us down if we let it. What are we as Christians to do or think?

First we shouldn't be surprised. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:4-14, "Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nations will rise against nations, and kingdoms against kingdoms. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."

Seems like a fairly accurate description of our world doesn't it. But Jesus tells us "see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen". He also tells us that the times he describes are "the beginning of birth pains". Using this analogy although, what happens immediately after the birth pains - a wonderful and glorious creation is revealed to the mother! When the birth pains are over, the restored and glorious creation of our God will be revealed to us.

When we hear of the mocking and hatred of Christians and Christianity from college professors, talk-show hosts, the media and even government officials; remember, Jesus did tell us "the love of many will grow cold". Luckily, we know the end of the story - Jesus wins - we win.

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the place where I am going". John 14:1-4

Max Lucado states "All things, big and small, flow out of the purpose of God and serve his good will. When the world appears out of control, it isn't. When warmongers appear to be in charge, they aren't. When ecological catastrophe's dominate the day, don't let them dominate you. Let's trust our heavenly Father".

Why - because "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7