The Y2K bug came and left with barely a perceptible whimper. I say perceptiblebecause there were more problems than were covered by the press. There are some stories that have sifted from acquaintances in the military, utilities industry, etc that have left me with a sense of thanksgiving. Any problems that surfaced, were handled by professionals, dedicated to keeping our lives as carefree as possible. 

Some people prepared for Y2K by storing some extra food, flashlights and water. They filled their cars with gas before the dreaded rollover of the clocks to January 1, 2000. Putting some additional food aside is not a bad idea. Everyone needs a flashlight now and then. The fact is, you cannot possibly store enough water to be self-sufficient during a major calamity. Likewise, a full tank of gas was not going to make much of a difference, had we seen the end of the world as predicted by many. Hopefully, any supplies you put aside served you well in the months that followed. Hopefully, you restocked as you consumed stored food.

Some Christians carry scars from their spiritual faux paux.

Some people went off the deep end, preparing for massive outages and the inevitable collapse of society. They moved to the country, built and stocked their bunker, locked their doors and cleaned their guns. Some of these survivalists were Christians. You may know some. I do. I recently met some Christians who bought a place in the country, learned to how butcher their own chickens, raised bees and stockpiled food in nitrogen-packed #10 cans. A friend of mine stored a pallet of dried corn and wheat in my garage. He actually asked if he could temporarily put it there for a few days. It remained there for months. Y2K came and went. He never did come back for it. Any idea what it is like getting rid of that much grain? The mice got their share. The rest went to the curb, on trash day. Yes, it took several trash days to get rid of it. The grain didn't cost him much. Had he needed it, he made a wise investment. He didn't need it. That only created a mild nuisance.

You wouldn't suspect a thing by looking at them, but over time, bits of bizarre information creeps out in conversations with these Christians. They paint their story with defensive shades of nobility and honor, but their eyes cannot hide feelings of embarassment and guilt. Mind you, there is nothing wrong with butchering your own chickens, raising honey bees, canning food, etc. If you do these things, do them because you want to and enjoy it. It is difficult, if not impossible for someone from the city to leap into this behavior without, shall we say, some growing pains. The pain intensifies if fear was the motivating force that caused these behavioral changes. Remember, if God calls you to do something, you will have peace. Your entire persona will eminate that peace. Peace is something you cannot fake. Peace is something you cannot hide.

Those who moved to the country to escape the collapse of humanity were wrong. Those who built bunkers to protect themselves from national disaster were wrong. Could these things happen? I dunno. I suppose so, but they didn't happen when people predicted they would. Anyone who moved to the country, built a bunker and put aside 2 years worth of food is still probably embarrassed. Imagine the cleanup after a mistake like this. Over time, you might be able to eat your food storage, unless it is a silo of grain. It is harder to relocate or dispose of thousands of rounds of ammunition, hoarded by some. 

C'mon. We all make mistakes. Some are small. Others are whoppers. Intense, emotional fallout may follow these mistakes. Depending on the magnitude of our faux paux, feelings may range from embarassment to anxiety. We may say "Lord, please forgive me" or "I don't want to talk about it." No, we cannot ignore your mistakes. Yes, the Lord fogives us. 

You may or may not have made embarrassing choices, preparing for Y2K. Remember, that was a scientific situation. What about spiritual mistakes? How do we handle those? How does God handle those?

I am sure you are confident in your doctrine. You are obviously aware there are others with differing beliefs. Those people share the same level of spiritual confidence in their doctrine as you do in yours. Someone is correct. Someone is not. Who could it be? Does it matter?

Here's an example. Some people believe the rapture will take place before the tribulation. Others believe it takes place after the tribulation. Both have scriptures to substantiate their belief. Obviously, both doctrines cannot be correct. Someone will ultimately find out they were wrong.

Does it matter? God will do what He wants to do, when He wants to do it...and it will be good for His children.

If someone believes the rapture will take place after the great tribulation and it comes earlier, I don't think they'll complain. If, on the other hand, someone believes it will take place beforehand and they find themselves watching the anti-christ on television, anxiety or embarrassment may be on the emotional menu. The word "rapture" is not even in the Bible, so neither side can complain too loudly. That word isn't scriptural. Don't use it. Jesus will come for us when He comes for us and even He doesn't know when that will be. Only the Father knows. So how could some preachers and prophets claim they know when the "rapture" will take place?

When you get right down to it, most Christians share the same, basic doctrine. They believe in Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

I Corinthians 2:2
For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 

Paul determined to stick to the spiritual basics. It's always safest there. When diverse cultures, denominations, clubs or churches get together, find some common ground where you can meet. I Corinthians 2:2 is a good recommendation.

I Corinthians 2:9-11
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 

Here is where spiritual distilling takes place. Many times we skip right over verse 9, justifying our knowledge by explaining the Holy Spirit revealed it to us. Problems arise when two factions claim to be inspired by the same Holy Spirit and their doctrines differ. God doesn't contradict Himself. Someone is obviously wrong, wrong, wrong. Wouldn't it be interesting if all parties were wrong? What will God say on that final day? Unless the doctrine has something to do with salvation, by faith, through the blood of Jesus, it has no bearing on your eternal security. Yes, it's important. No, it won't keep you out of heaven.

Unless the doctrine has something to do with salvation, by faith, through the blood of Jesus, it has no bearing on your eternal security. Yes, it's important. No, it won't keep you out of heaven.

Everyone makes mistakes. The character of a person is revealed in how he deals with those mistakes. Satan loves to use your sense of guilt against you. That is why he is called the accuser of the brethren. Rev 12:10

So, if you made a spectacle of yourself, preparing for Y2K, or have ever followed tra-la, tra-la, down the path of some spiritual "new thing" God was supposedly doing, or are guilty of any other spiritual faux paux, know that God still loves you, forgives you, and it is alright to come out of your bunker. If anyone points a finger at you, remind them of Revelations 12:10. 


No, I don't have a bunker, but could I interest you in some MREs?


- Rod

• Topic: Devotionals

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