Tuesday, May 24, 2011

The End Is Not Near, You Must Learn To Cope.

I must have missed the rapture. I was busy doing service. Then I went on a date with Mike.
I have no problem with those who want to be prepared and really want to know the exact day and time for an important event. I am one of them. No matter what religion, philosophy or creed we follow, we humans want to have specifics. If nothing else, we have another source to blame if things don't work out.
For those who use the Bible as a guide, it can get confusing. If you want to look, you can find plenty of conflicting messages. I read it so the the main and simple message of Christ's gospel is what I look for. Anything that does not encourage me to line up with that becomes a cultural study.
Putting huge effort and resources into trying to figure out the day and time falls into that area. There are several places where scriptures say no one knows that except God, and I can understand that.
This is not like the prom, or your 40th high school reunion. It is not going to work to diet in drastic ways to lose weight and fit into that outfit, or get a makeover so you can present a different face for the weekend.
Those things are not transfiguration proof. The person who moves on is the person you have chosen to be in this life.
My dad had a great cartoon from the New Yorker posted on his office door. It showed a bearded man in robe and sandals carrying a picket sign through the city. It said "The End Is Not Near. You Must Learn To Cope".
Since I think the need to cope will not end with this life, I think this is a good skill for me to develop. What I really like is the way so many people around me help me see that this life is not something just to endure, slog through, cope with. It is a time to learn, grow, make a difference and have a great time while doing it.
I call it following the Spirit, looking for God in everyone, At-One-Ment. Others might call it Karma, positive vibes, the Golden Rule.
I just find that I like getting a taste of heaven while I am going through mortality. It's a nice way to pass the time.

3 comments:

Melanie said...

I love that quote!

penny nelson said...

Great response to the hupla, Jody. And I like all of your thoughts on daily living. Thanks for the reminder.
Do you have any flowers blooming. Probably not.

Jody England Hansen said...

The tulips and daffodils are done. My iris are gorgeous right now.