2 Thessalonians 5:3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

Frankly, this sounds precisely like the recent earthquake and tsunami. Everything was as usual, and then suddenly everything was destroyed. As was preached this past Sunday, we need to live as though every day were our last. However, Paul is specifically talking about the return of Christ here, and one thing stands out to me in how he does so. Labor pains indeed come on suddenly, but they are not unexpected. There is some variation in timing, but the rule of thumb of 280 days from conception is very solid. For Christians, Christ’s return will be as sudden as for anyone else, but like labor pains, it will not be unexpected. From the Biblical description, there will be a good bit of discomfort involved, just as with labor, but again as with labor, anticipation of the end result should make it bearable. I well remember the excitement (though I wasn’t the one experiencing the pain) when our daughters were born, and when one of our grandchildren was a little late, I remember our elation at the news that labor had started. Things are happening around the world right now that seem to fit in very well with Matthew 24 and other such passages, and Christians all over are starting to ask, is this the beginning of labor? The point is not to get in a panic, but to be faithful at the tasks God sets for us. Sometimes those tasks are in response to events, and sometimes they seem to have no connection. The important thing is to be faithful in our obedience, as Jesus said. (Matthew 24:45-46)

I find myself conflicted about how I am to respond to the disaster in Northeast Japan. I feel guilty when I see what some others are doing, yet I do not hear the Lord telling me to be more active. I am not to let the opportunity for evangelism pass me by, and I am certainly to be faithful in praying for those in hands-on ministry in the area, but at this point I do not know of anything else. That leaves me afraid of the charge of insensitivity toward the very real suffering that is going on. I am reminded of when Andrew and Philip told Jesus there were some Greeks wanting to see Him. His response seemed totally unrelated to the news! (John 12:20~) I need to see what tracts we already have here at the church that would be appropriate, and get to work distributing those. (Fresh tracts, by me or someone else, may be called for.) When people are feeling the labor pains, they need to know about the Baby!

Father, help me not fear people’s responses, but help me also not miss the opportunities You provide to share the good news of Your kingdom. I ask for sensitivity to those around me, but especially for sensitivity to You. Help me hear and obey promptly, not dulled or distracted by routines or events, so that Your purposes may be accomplished on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!