Prepper madness is occurring here in the US. As the country unravels and civil unrest is escalating to perhaps a civil upheaval, people are seeing the reality. Additionally as I’ve mentioned before, a global food shortage is imminent (Read here) as declared by many world health and food organizations as well as observational factors.
The world is shifting. A “cycle” as those in history observe is happening. And life as we know it will not be again for quite some time. In fact I do believe 2020 will still be a part of “the good old days” even though many memes would lead you to think otherwise.
As this hurricane approaches the world and even more severely the USA, the unease is rising rapidly. Fear is growing and doubts about the future and food security abound. It’s hard not to get swept up in the fear of it all and think night and day, “How do I prepare in order to take care of my loved ones?”
It’s on my mine constantly. Our election looms and regardless of who wins it will be bad. The crazy is intensifying.
In steps Jesus. Martha was “prepping.” Not for a national and global disaster but for her guests and for her honor and for all that she was.
Jesus stepped in and said lovingly,
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed” (Luke 10:41-42).
It didn’t mean that they didn’t need to eat and she didn’t need to care about her guests and all the details. But it did mean that her spirit was in a place of fear, stress and distress.
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed” (Luke 10:41-42).
As I see the daily news and the prophetic words and the disasters unfolding, these things lately have eclipsed the priority of Jesus in my life. Prayer time has been replaced by watching preparedness videos. The Word has been eclipsed by work. And my thoughts have been exchanged for thinking of the days ahead instead of in the thankfulness of the goodness of God.
Time to take a breath and remember the words of Jesus.
“Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Mt 4:4).
There’s a food greater than that of this earth. It is a food that the people of this earth do not know about (John 4:32). It is a provision that surpasses our understanding (Ex 16:35).
It is impossible to be fully prepared although many are trying. I saw a video last night of somebody’s food stash that was greater than some grocery stores. It felt grotesque watching it.
It is good to prepare as the prudent see danger and respond (Prov 22:3). Even Joseph spent 7 years preparing for difficult times (Gen 41:48). But there is a faith and trust that we are called into that is an obedience at new levels (Ex 16:4).
More than ever before we need our ear to the heartbeat of Jesus. Listening, being watchful, and quick to obey. That cannot come if we are so busy in our thoughts and in our duties and in our concerns that the Lord is second place.
If I lose sight of Jesus, then I’ve lost everything, not matter how much I’ve prepared.
