Bible Bites
God’s ‘To Do List’ & My Life
Some people seem to live totally spontaneously with no rhyme or reason to their lives. Border-line erratic, playing on the very precipice of irresponsibility. No game plan for the future and oblivious almost to calendars and schedules. Actually, people have accused the Almighty God of being erratic, unpredictable and even irresponsible. Those are the people who know Him the least. Those who know Him best have quite a different view.
Let’s face it: most of us have an incredibly limited view of the big picture. We filter everything through the lens of our own perspective, not understanding really how myopic our view is. The God of the Eternal Ages doesn’t fit within the little puny box we have for Him. God actually has a plan. God has a calendar. God has a To Do List. There’s nothing erratic about His action. Just because we may not be able to connect all the dots doesn’t mean He doesn’t have a plan with a purpose working towards an ultimate end.
If this doesn’t sound like a plan with a purpose, what does!
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved,
what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness,
waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.”
(2Peter 3:8-14)
The next event on God’s calendar affecting this world is the Rapture – when Christ comes to the air and secretly air-lifts Christians out of this world to be with Himself forever. (1Thessalonians 4:13-18) When that will happen, we do not know nor should we ever speculate on dates for the Rapture. After every Christian has been removed from the planet, a seven year Tribulation Period will follow, concluding with the majestic and very visible and spectacular revelation of Christ in mighty power. All God-haters and Christ rejecters will be crushed. Jesus will then reign on this earth for 1000 amazing years.
Ultimately, this earth is destined to be burned up. Yes, all the great and mighty works of men will be consumed with fire – obliterated. It’s called God’s calendar. His schedule. His plan. His To-Do List. (*)
Peter says, “In light of God’s To Do List the only sensible response of a genuine believer is to live a life that is totally different than the godless world around us. We should never waste our time or allow our lives to revolve around things and plans that wear the label “For the Fire”. One has said: “Everything material has the stamp of oblivion upon it.”
So, just in case you missed the point, God’s To-Do List is very relevant to our lives. If you understand what God’s Agenda is, you will definitely have different priorities in your life than your unsaved friend has. If you don’t, there’s something wrong.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ
Peter Ramsay