One Is Seated...One Is Preparing...But What Am I Doing?

[Timl1980]

Fear is filling the news faster than facts can catch up, my friends. 

 

AI generated videos and pictures are getting more realistic than ever...old videos are resurfacing months, even years later...attempting to shape the narrative...spin outdated facts and fears into present danger. I don't even glance at Facebook news anymore...the "algorithm" begins shoving "fake" or altered news down my throat at a pace that I cannot spit out fast enough.

 

A story catches my eye here or there...suddenly I'm inundated with doubts and fears, unsure of what is true and what is fake...unsure if I should act or just hunker down and do nothing. I am in the process of reviewing our Go bags...I'm in the process of getting ready for our Sunday meeting...I'm in the process of getting ready for a potential return visit this Monday and for our midweek meeting this Tuesday...and suddenly, out of nowhere...a brother stopped me an hour ago after our brief early morning chaotic conversation, (chaotic on my end), and kindly told me to stop, slow down and just take a few deep breaths.

 

Because you see, somewhere in the middle of all that motion, all that commotion...he helped me realign all over again...not to what the world is doing, but what Jehovah is doing, what Jesus is doing, and what that means I should be doing right now.

 

Simple, right?

 

Yes...and no. 

 

But I jumped online and and here I am, preparing to share another nugget of wisdom from my support system...without whom I would have surely drowned in my own toxic sludge of fear and self doubt long ago.

 

"Tim...what is Jehovah doing right now?" 

 

This caught me off guard...because of course I know what Jehovah is doing...he's in the heavenly courtyard, seated on his throne. 

 

He told me to pause and read the following verse: 

 

Habakkuk 2:20 "But Jehovah is in his holy temple. Be silent before him, all the earth!’”

 

Then he dropped a bombshell on me: "Think, Tim. When was this written? What was going on at this time? Was this written during a time of peace with Israel?"

 

The answer: No, it wasn't! It was written shortly before 607 BCE, shortly before the destruction of the temple...literally a few years before the downfall of his people, (save for the few faithful remnant that would be left over).

 

"Now think, Tim. We are close to the end...so close. You're right...Jehovah is seated on his throne...but do you see HIM jumping in alarm at every world event back then? Think about it...the Babylonians were gearing up for the invasion that would end so many lives...but Jehovah didn't rush...he didn't start explaining all the timelines...he simply took his seat."

 

And then?

 

Then what?

 

Then came the judgement...swift...harsh...clear cut. The survivors...they survived. The rest of them simply...didn't.

 

"Now that we know what Jehovah is doing...what is Jesus doing?" He went on, probing my brain, provoking the obvious response.

 

"He's sitting at Jehovah's side...directing the preaching work." I said, my mind filling with the picture of two thrones...two glowing presences in close proximity as they gazed down upon the earth.

 

"Yes...but you're forgetting something. Please read the following:" 

 

Hebrews 10:12,13: "But this man offered one sacrifice for sins for all time and sat down at the right hand of God, from then on waiting until his enemies should be placed as a stool for his feet."

 

"He had to wait, he had to be patient...but when Jesus finally DID begin to rule in 1914...he has been active ever since. Now, does Jesus panic under pressure?" He asked me to turn to John 14:2,3: "In the house of my Father are many dwelling places. Otherwise, I would have told you, for I am going my way to prepare a place for you. 3 Also, if I go my way and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you home to myself, so that where I am you also may be."

 

Again, he asked me about the context of these verses...was Jesus still early in his ministry? No, he said this at a time when death was merely hours away...when violence was imminent...hours before his disciples would scatter and their whole world would APPEAR to be unraveling right before their eyes. And instead of saying, "Hey, you might want to brace yourselves!"...Jesus says, "I'm preparing a place for you."

 

Jesus didn't waste time worrying about the events that were unfolding around him...instead he was actively preparing...methodically ensuring that everything would be ready...when it was time to act.

 

And he's doing the same thing now.

 

So what should Tim be doing right now?

 

Two things...the first is something I shouldn't do.

 

John 14:27 "...Do not let your hearts be troubled nor let them shrink out of fear."

 

Again, he asked me to look at the context: This was JUST before his betrayal...just before everything seemingly collapsed around them. So what am I allowing to trouble my heart that I shouldn't be? Am I feeding my fear through sensational headlines MORE than I am feeding my faith through Jehovah's truth? If Jesus could say this with such confidence on the very night when their whole world collapsed around them...what does that actually tell me about peace...and where it comes from??

 

The truth is: Jehovah isn't pacing around right now...and Jesus isn't panicking.

 

So...if everyone in heaven is calm right now amidst all their preparations...if I know they've got everything covered...why am I still allowing my heart to make me so afraid?

 

Because I’m human…because I’m imperfect…because fear only feels powerful when I forget where I’m standing...and who I have on my side.

 

And for today, at least...I remember.

 

Jehovah is seated.

Jesus is preparing.

So I don’t need to panic, try to predict, or freeze in place and do nothing

 

I need to lift my head, stay busy, and let obedience to Jehovah and his organization speak louder than fear ever could.

[careful]

tim ...you set a good example of accepting the help of your personal support group of friends and brothers and whatever else helps you.  We all need to do that in this difficult time.