Several months ago we talked about the storms and disasters our nation and the world have been experiencing in the past year. The drought of the century continues in Texas, civil unrest and lawlessness is moving across many cities in our nation, threats of terrorism are on-going, and a greater threat of war seems to be looming closer in the mid-east and Israel. Nation is rising upon nation across the mid-east, Africa, and Europe. Everyone is beginning to feel an end of the world system as we have known it is is fast approaching.
When Jesus was asked by His apostles, "When shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world?", Jesus gave a discourse called "The Olivet Discourse" which outlines many of the things that have been coming to pass with greater rapidity in the past several years. He spoke of signs in the sun, moon and stars, and on earth, distress of nations with perplexity, the sea and waves roarring. Men's hearts failing them for fear. In Luke 21:28, Jesus said, "And when these things begin to come to pass, look up, and lift up your heads for your redemption draws near."
Throughout the Bible, the Lord gives us lessons from nature, from the trees, seeds, birds, the ant, and others. I recently came across other examples that remind me of the way we humans sometimes act. Think about the BUZZARD - Did you know, if you put a buzzard in a 6' by 8' pen that is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be a prisoner? The reason is that a buzzard begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10' x 12'. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
The BAT - The ordinary bat that flies around at night is a remarkable creature in the air, but it cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and painfully, until it reaches a slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then it takes off like a flash.
The BUMBLEBEE - If a bumblebee is dropped into an open tumbler, it will be there until it dies unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find a way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
PEOPLE - In many ways, we are like the buzzard, bat or the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is "LOOK UP!" Look up to our Lord Jesus - He is our Answer to every problem and care. Unlike the enemy of our souls, who looks for a tiny way of entry, our Lord Jesus waits for us to come to Him. He will never push Himself onto us, but is always a Gentleman who waits for us to open the door of our hearts to allow Him entrance.
Let's not be like the buzzard, bat or bumblebee who is used to doing things one way. Open up your heart wide today, look up, and seek His way and His answers. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6) LOOK UP, for our Redemption is drawing closer and closer.
