Get On Course and Stay on Course

Luke 21:5-19 (text for lectionary on November 17)

Looking for signs regarding the future, or any focus on the future takes us out of striving in our present.

Regarding the forecast of the Temple being destroyed by Rome in the near future, the Gospel of Luke portrays a message of Jesus regarding staying on course in the present.

As the Jesus of Luke points out, false teachers will come and manipulate believers over their fear of the future, and particularly over their fear of the end.  Books have been written, bold statements made and predictions offered by false teachers for generations.  Their intent has always been and is to lead astray, to pique fears and take control over believers for their own ends.

When disasters come, and they will, we are instructed to remain calm.
When we are persecuted for following Jesus, we are called to trust and persevere in our faith.

In other words, live in the now.
Be fully present now.
Get on course with what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled as God's way for us to be faithful.
Live what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled everyday in the world, regardless of what is going
    on in the world around us, particularly BECAUSE of what is going on in the world around us.
Focus on the living of Agape Love that Jesus commanded.
Focus on resisting the values of empire as you live the Kingdom values given by Jesus.

With regard to Climate Change... yes, I am going there... stay focused on the stewardship of the Creation to which we are entrusted... ending the waste, destruction and pollution of God's creation.
With regard to Elections... stay focused on voting for candidates who would most exemplify the values taught by Jesus, and getting others to see the wisdom of doing so.
With regard to Economics... stay focused on your ethical work, being good stewards of what you have and the sharing of your abundance with others around who are not so fortunate.
With regard to Wars... stay focused on teaching and demanding Agape Love and the building of Shalom in the world around you.

In order to do that, it will take great Faith in Jesus and Jesus' Way as a better way for the world, here and now.
In order to do that, it will take great Focus on Jesus and what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for how to live in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.

The end will come.
What we have is right now.
Right now is what matters.
How are we following Jesus in how we live our lives right now?
Let that be our focus and concern.
Regardless of what is going on in the world around you, get on course and stay on course.
If the course you have chosen is following Jesus in how you live, then you will most positively affect the things in the world around you.

Above all, live the Agape Love and Grace given by God to you, in the world around you.
It will make the right now of others in the world better, and help establish and sustain Shalom (completeness, wholeness and well-being) in the world around you, the world in which you live.

Pastor Jamie