Brace yourself

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,” 2 Timothy 3:1-3 ESV

In a disturbing story published on Wednesday, the following was reported: A high school track race turned violent this week after one student athlete caught up to another and sucker-punched him in the middle of an event. The footage began circulating online on Tuesday of the athlete running up behind the runner and punching him in the back of the head while onlookers sounded extremely upset. According to TMZ, the incident occurred Saturday at the Tohopekaliga Tiger Invitational in Kissimmee, Florida. What apparently led up to the attack was the student in the black uniform standing on the track during the race. Witnesses at the meet told the outlet that he wouldn’t move when racers were taking their lap, and the runner in the red and white uniform bumped him to get out of the way. After that, the athlete in the black uniform waited for the other runner to take another lap before he ran behind him and punched him in the head. Not only was this attack unsettling because of the coldheartedness of it but because of the lack of self-control the offender displayed, not even caring that the act would be caught on camera and that he would have to face the consequences of his actions. 

And you know, while this incident might have shocked us just a few years ago, it left most people simply shaking their heads at yet another occasion when a heartless person lacking self-control committed a brutal act of violence. But as Timothy warned Paul, "understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty." Times that you can be sure are upon right now as we continue to see the rapid rise of people who are "lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good," and the list goes on. 

So brace yourself for what's to come my friend. Be sober. Be alert. And be ever watchful of what's going on around you. But have no fear of what's to come. Jesus is coming back soon and will take us all home. Does that make you smile or what? 

Heavenly Father, thank You for warning us of what's to come so that we can be ready. Lord, as we see the world becoming more and more dangerous, immoral and out of control, remind us that we have no reason to fear. As Isaiah completely understood, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Help us to trust in You completely Lord. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!