The dawn of a new millenium

     Here we go!  Buckle up your seatbelts and hold on tight because it is now 1999 and the next twelve months that lead up to "Y2K," the year 2000, promise to be quite a roller-coaster ride!  There are predictions of computer systems crashing, a global economic crisis, wars and rumors of wars and other real "fire and brimstone" stuff that is coming our way.  We don't have to look very far to see current signs of warning and collapse.  Our President has been impeached and bombs have been flying recently over the Middle East.  Many people believe that these things that are happening mark the "end of the world."  Some will interpret these signs and even interpret the Bible to predict the date and time of the final day.

     However, before we all run for cover and seek to "get our earthly affairs in order," let's get some perspective on this situation.  There were predictions about the "end of the world" one thousand years ago when the world approached "YIK."   There were reports of people who sold all they had and, on the eve of the new millenium, went up to the highest mountain peak with their arms stretched out, hoping to be the first ones that God would take to be with Him in heaven.  Due to the chaos that was reigning in the world at that time, these people were absolutely certain that the end of the world was coming.  Well, we obviously know that the world did not come to an end one thousand years ago, and life has continued on, with many highs and lows in the world's history.

     I read a quote in Time magazine a few days ago that read, "History ... is indeed little more than a chronicle of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind." An author by the name of Edward Gibbon wrote this over 200 years ago in his book, The History of the Decline and Fall of  the Roman Empire.  This statement contains a lot of truth.  However, it does not contain the whole truth.  We also need to look at HIS-story, the Bible, and remember that God is in control.  Although God's people have failed, God has been faithful.  Here is a poem I recently received that gives a very brief but accurate summary of God's faithfulness in the past, present and future (Bible Scholar Challenge: see if you can find all the Bible references for the events mentioned in the poem.  Search the "Caller" for the answers!).

     Amen!  There is hope!  I pray that all the hype surrounding the approach of the year 2000 will be a wake up call for all of us to think about how we can live our lives continually reflecting the hope we have in Christ.  In a recent children's message I asked the children to think of a "Christmas gift" that God would like to receive.  As I talked with the children, we decided that the greatest gift we can give to God is the gift of ourselves, as we love God and serve others.  In Matthew 25:31-40, Jesus spoke about feeding the hungry and caring for the needy and He said, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40).  Martin Luther, when asked what he would do if he knew the world was coming to an end, said he would "Plant a tree."  He intended to keep doing the things that brought life and wholeness to the world.  Has Jesus, the light of the world, come into your life?  Invite Him in and allow Him to shine as you "plant trees" and bring the life and light of Christ into your world today.

Pastor John Foss