Too Much Fun?

Wednesday November 19, 2014

In the film Ice Age : Continental Drift, many of the creatures are trying to save the world from imminent disaster. Two possums named Crash and Eddie, however, simply engage in fun and games.

Louis the molehog asks a series of questions about their escapism : "How are you both so happy? Doesn´t it weigh on you that the world might be ending?" At that point, Eddie reaches out his hand, pinches Louis' nose, and says, "Beep." Ultimate escapism! They didn´t give a second thought to the reality of the end of the world.

To illustrate a similar escapism mentality of the people who ignore His imminent return, Jesus used the example of Noah and the flood (Luke 17:27). In the days before the flood (Genesis 6:5 - 7:5), life was business as usual for most people. Noah, however, spent many years building a huge boat as God had commanded (6:14). The rest of mankind conitnued with their "human wickedness" and "violence" (vv. 5, 11). Life went on this way until the day it began to rain and the flood came and drowned everyone but Noah and his family.

By using this illustration, Jesus was warning people against false security and encouraging them to be ready for His return - for there will be no second chances. Some will go to be with Him and others will be left behind (Luke 17:30-35).

Like the escapist possums, many will be having too much fun to be concerned - shopping, playing, partying, celebrating, marrying - blocking out the reality of Jesus' second coming. One day He will return, however. Let´s make sure we´re personally ready for this reality. And let´s tell others about God´s love and mercy and help them prepare for Jesus' return! - Marvin Williams.

Read
Luke 17:20 - 37
Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."

Then He said to the disciples, "The days will come when you will desire to see one of the day of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, 'Look here!' or 'Look there!' Do not go after them or follow them. For as the lightning that flashes out of one part under heaven shines to the other part under heaven, so also the Son of Man will be in His day."

"But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man : They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all."

"Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot : they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all."

"Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed. In that day, he who is on the housetop, and his goods are in the house, let him not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field, let him not turn back."

"Remember Lot´s wife. Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. I tell you, in that night there will be two men in one bed : The one will be taken and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding together : the one will be taken and the other left. Two men will be in the field : The one will be taken and the other left."

And they answered and said to Him, "Where, Lord?" So He said to them, "Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together."

Romans 13:11-12
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

Question to Ponder
What is the plight of those who do not know and follow Jesus?
Who are the "Crashes and Eddies" in your life that need to be awakened to the reality of the Gospel and Christ´s return?