The anticipation mounts. The curiosity continues. The humorous Facebook posts bring laughter.  Scepticism abounds in many over the end of the Mayan calendar, today, Dec 21, 2012.  However, for a wide part of society today, anxiety and fear are very real as they wonder if the end of the world will truly  happen today.

This summer my daughter and I visited a store in a neighboring town here in Sonoma County, CA.  It’s commonly referred to as the “place of fruit and nuts,” otherwise, known as “quirky.” Our daughter had just moved to the area so I told her about the reputation of the town while we were driving to it to purchase a birthday present for my husband. He wanted to start beekeeping, so we went to buy him the initial supplies and beekeeping outfit!

We don’t know much about beekeeping so I asked about classes.  The young man tending the store gave me a sheet with dates, but while he handed it to me, he said, “The classes for this year are already over.”  I glanced down and saw two dates, one in September and one in November.  I was confused as it was August, and asked, “Is this last year’s calendar?”  He said it wasn’t.  So, I said, “Well, it’s August and September is next month.” 
His reply, “Months…well, I never learned the order of them.  I don’t figure I need to now that the end of the world is coming soon.”

Molly and I giggled and left the store, figuring the reputation to the town is correct in at least some quarters.

But, today as I was focusing on John 1 and the passages of light, I felt the heart of Jesus impress upon me to pray for our county, the young man in the bee store, and for all those who are truly fearful of the world ending.  He showed me the darkness that hoovers over our area and the people’s desire to follow light, but as yet, they haven’t discovered the light that comes from Jesus.

I also felt the depth of God’s love for all the people he created and his deep desire that everyone join his family.  He doesn’t want anyone left out in the darkness.

Today is a great day of opportunity for all who are in his family to pray for his family to increase.  Will you join me in praying these Scriptures for all who yet live in darkness, but long to live in light?

“The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it, John 1:4-5 NLT.

But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name, John 1:12 Amplified.

I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” Isaiah 49:6b NIV.

This is what the Lord says: “In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate inheritances, to say to the captives, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Be free!’

They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them.  He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.  I will turn all my mountains into roads, and my highways will be raised up” Isaiah 49:8-11 NIV.

My hope is on the day when Jesus does come again, may his Father’s family be really, really, big because those in darkness have turned toward the light of his LOVE. Amen….may it be so.