Groundhogs & The Future

Why were so many people concerned about a groundhog last Saturday?

Oh, I know all about Groundhog Day. I even saw the movie. But why does it make the national news? Why does a whole town in Pennsylvania obsess over a groundhog’s shadow?

Can a large rodent-like creature actually make a dependable prediction about winter?

Americans are fascinated with the future (in this case, the weather for the next six weeks.) It’s still amazes me that with all our satellites, radar and ability to forecast weather, the groundhog tradition still hangs on.

Of course the media likes a good story. And the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania has made a media-friendly circus out of the event. But back to the weather.

We’re not the only ones to be fascinated with weather prediction. Back in ancient times people wanted to forecast the weather also. But without our technology, they had to rely on observations about nature.

We still quote the ancient proverb today when we say, “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning.” Jesus even referred to this common observation!

Then he said, “You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” Jesus noted that by observing “signs of the times,” we should know when his return is near.

Have you been paying attention? Events in the Middle East and around the world seem to indicate that we may be living in the last generation before Christ’s return.

A recent survey revealed that 42% of Americans believe we are living in the “Last Days.”

Hold it right there for just a minute! Is that even a possibility?

Non-Christians tend to view talk of Jesus’ return as religious hype. But modern Evangelical Christians are not the only ones to talk about Jesus’ return and the end of time.

Sir Isaac Newton, born in 1642, found the Old Testament book of Daniel’s view of the future intriguing. After a thorough study, he predicted the world’s end would come 1,260 years after the establishment of the Holy Roman Empire. The Empire began December 25, 800 A.D.

For those committed to human reason, that’s a tad unnerving. This was not the raving of some wild-eyed apocalyptic preacher. Newton was the father of modern science. His predictions about the laws of gravity and the motion of the planets eventually proved correct.

Consider this: at least 80 specific Bible prophecies were fulfilled at Jesus’ first coming. And their accuracy was amazing. But, even with all that, his arrival still caught most by surprise.

Many will be surprised when Jesus returns. Christians, however, should not be. The Bible says, “But you brothers are not in darkness that this day should surprise you like a thief.”

Since Christ’s return is near, the Apostle Peter asks, “What kind of people ought you to be?” His answer is “You ought to live holy and godly lives.” But how do you do that?

First you need to have faith. The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” That means to believe that Jesus died for your sin, was buried and rose to give you a new life. Next you must personally trust in Christ as your Lord and Savior. Finally, the Bible says that we must be “alert and self-controlled…putting on faith and love.”

Jesus asked, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” I hope he finds it in your heart and sees it in your life!

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!

Road To Nowhere

Would you take a road if it went nowhere? How about a bridge?

For some time the state of Alaska was in the news over a highly publicized “bridge to nowhere.” At a cost of hundreds of millions of dollars the state was going to build a bridge to a small island with a few residents.

The project was finally cancelled before it became a taxpayer boondoggle.

We chuckle and shake our heads at such an obvious waste of time and money. Why would anyone drive over a bridge to nowhere?

Yet every day millions of people take the on-ramp for a road to nowhere.

Now hold it right there for just a minute. Why would anyone get on such a road?

Exactly. And my question to you is, “Are you on a road to nowhere?” If life were a road trip, would the road you’re on take you to where you hope to end up?

Jesus compared life to two roads with two destinations. He said, “Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road the leads to life, and only a few find it.”

The majority of people in this world take the broad road without ever checking to see where it might lead them. The broad road is the easy road. It’s the road of self-indulgence. The road to destruction. The road to nowhere.

My advice? Look down the road you’re on to see where you’re headed.

When I’m on a trip I like to stop once in a while and check the map and the directions to be sure I’m still headed to my destination. I do that because distractions sometimes make me miss my exit and I end up on the wrong road.

Life is full of distractions that put you on the wrong road. Jesus mentioned things like, “the worries of life and the deceitfulness of wealth.” Other distractions mentioned in the Bible are “the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does.”

Jesus said that there is only one way to Heaven and the place he is preparing for those who love him. He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Jesus made it clear in this and other passages of scripture that he alone is the path to God and eternal life.

But this road to which he calls us is the narrow road, “the road less traveled.” It is a path that leads first to the cross, the empty tomb and accepting the risen Christ as Lord and Savior. Then it leads to serving God and others. A life of selfless service.

The older I get, the more I think about what’s waiting for me at the end of the road. But I don’t worry about it because many years ago I took Jesus at his word. I put my faith and trust in him and answered his call to “Follow me.”

Ever since I have found that Jesus’ narrow road is the path to peace and purpose in life. It’s not an easy road, but there are many joys on the journey. Joys that come from seeing my life make a difference for eternity.

Many people meander through life with no thought to which road they are on. One of the saddest moments in life would be to get to the end of the road and find out you’ve been on the wrong road. The road to nowhere.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!