A World Without Godliness
I was traveling back from a day trip to Houston. On the way home I stopped at a gas station not far from the highway. As I pulled my car into the gas station, I noticed long lines haphazardly trailed behind the other fuel pumps. Because I had been driving for several hours without stopping I decided to park my car and go indoors to stretch my legs, use the restroom and pay at the counter. The place seemed unusualy busy. I walked inside and immediately felt a sense of unease. The air felt tense. I watched as woman at the cash register hurriedly counted coins with an anxious look on her face. I made my way to the back of the store where the restrooms were. I checked to find a stall that was empty. To my disgust each stall was used without flushing and appeared out of order. I had never seen a restroom with such filthy stalls. The final stall I checked was miraculously unsoiled and I began to shut the door behind me when I heard a frantic shriek on the intercom system.
“IF YOU HAVE PARKED YOUR CAR I NEED YOU TO LEAVE WE HAVE TOO MANY CUSTOMERS. I REPEAT IF YOU HAVE A CAR HERE GET IT OUT RIGHT NOW!”
I stood startled by what sounded like rage in her voice. She sounded like a football coach shouting orders to her team. I immediately left the bathroom, walked to my car and drove away from the gas station feeling grieved and disturbed. Pulling back onto the highway, I contemplated the otherworldly nature of this inhospitable gas station encounter. If you have a relationship with The Holy Spirit you may understand when I say this moment began to sink heavy into my spirit as something of prophetic significance. As I played the memories back in my mind I felt like He was highlighting to me what the world would be like without Godliness. Without Godly people.
Disorder. Anxiety. Chaos. Neglect. Foulness. Rage. Hostility. Cruelty.
These are some of the characteristics of the experience I had. Then I began to think about the rapture and what the world would be like if every Godly person was taken away to be with The Lord. At least on this day I could drive away. I could find a different gas station. But imagine a whole world filled with people who do not know or reflect The Lord’s heart. It is a chilling picture. The Bible says that in the last days, people will:
“…love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.” 2 Timothy 3:2-5
I recognize that there are varying theological beliefs about how the world will reach its end. I am not here to push one viewpoint over the other. Rather I want to present this picture for your consideration. Think about this; In His mercy, God has placed His people as shining lights in the darkness of this world. People that exhibit His character. His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control. People who walk with integrity who show justice and compassion. Who clothe the naked, feed the hungry, visit those in prison and give water to the thirsty. People who proclaim His glad tidings, and the good news of The Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who selflessly took on human form to bridge the gap between God and man. His character stands in complete contrast with what we see regarding people in end times. Those who do not know Him. It makes me wonder if in a world like this, the perfect love of God would shine brighter than ever before.
If you do not know Jesus and would like to enter into a relationship with Him, I invite you to pray this prayer:
Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to sacrifice His life for my redemption. Forgive me for my sins. I turn away from my old life and surrender myself to You today. Thank You for Your gift of everlasting life. Come and baptize me in Your Holy Spirit and teach me to follow faithfully in Your ways, Amen.
Upon your sincere commitment to Christ, the angels in heaven and even God Himself is rejoicing over you! Now that you are born again, there are three things that are essential to growing closer to God: Reading the Bible*, spending time alone with God in prayer, and fellowship with other believers. The best way to find the right church for you is to ask God to lead you to the right place. Have faith that He cares more for you than you could ever imagine. Trust Him to lead you in all things. Be blessed <3
*If you do not have access to a bible or cannot afford to buy one, send me an email and I will happily get one to you!
