I don’t remember if I had heard about the rapture yet, if not it was soon
after this, but in summer 1993 I had just finished 9th grade. Yes I see now the
reason for how some of my life has been. I do sometimes wonder if there wasn’t
some other way for some things but God knows best. I would like to view
alternate scenarios, in my life and history in general, in heaven seeing what
would have been. I Liked the time travel episodes of the Star Trek series seeing
how one change can affect history in a big way. There are things I sometimes
wish had been different but there are others, that I am glad to have had, I
probably wouldn’t have had otherwise. I may not see the “big picture” yet but I
know the tapestry of my life is a good one even with a few imperfect, in my
eyes, threads here and there. He is our Father and like many children we may not
understand why we weren’t allowed something or why something happed to us but we
know he is protecting us in the former and teaching us or preparing us to help
someone who goes through the same thing in the latter. Often I think we are too
close to events when they are happening or shortly afterwards to be able to see
the reason why. Only in hindsight can we see at least possibly reasons why
something happened the way it did. (For some things all one can say is “ours is
not to reason why”.) Even then all our questions on it won’t be answered till we
get home. I would imagine there will be quite the waiting list to see God
for some ‘splanin’ [ 
] about things in our lives.
] about things in our lives.
Paul
"Anybody Else Feel "Different" About THIS life than you did 18 years ago? I do!"
My Story......(short version)
18 years ago I spent July 4th in Washington DC....saw the fireworks from the Washington Monument....had my kids (ages 5 and 6) and my mom with me there for a work conference. I lived in Orlando then, as now.
1993: Just divorced, 6 months...had a job and boss I really didn't like and I NEEDED ALOT of answers to my prayers from God as I drove home after that trip. Lots of concerns on my mind........personal, residential, work, financial... pretty much ALL across the biggest areas of my life. (I moved 6 times in the 12 months after the divorce! LOL)
Wonderfully and Incredibly....ALL of my needs, wants and many Dreams, too were answered in the next month, the next 6 months, the next year.....the next few years. It was one of the best "runs" of my life.....for career, income, travel, dreams, life, love...EVERYTHING!!
Overall....the last 18 years have been (like most of us.....as is life..) filled with ups and downs, highs and lows.....and many challenges.....most of them self-induced!
Fast forward to 2011: Again, in DC for the Fireworks.......
2011: Married.....happily....... daughter now lives in DC. THIS year, as I drove home from the July 4th festivities, I have reflected (as I do every now and then) on how my life is NOW vs "xx" years in the past in the various categories of my life: Job, home, relationships, (marriage) income, debts, happiness, etc, etc.
The point of my story is this: ONE THING, no TWO THINGS have changed me....changed my life in the last 18 years.
First..... in 1993 I knew NOTHING about the Rapture, or End Times Bible Prophecy. Now....I think I could teach a class on the subject!! Knowing these things has truly CHANGED my life and the way I "LOOK" at THIS life. And because of that, how I LIVE my life has been affected, too.
and
Second......I can now look back over the last 18 years......or over the past 26 years.....(age 56 now) and I can SEE God's hand moving in my life....to answer my prayers; to keep me from harm.....from failure.....and to see me thru again and again and again!!!
I still need help from God in some of the same areas of my life as I did then..... IF there is no Rapture this fall....then I will still need God working in my life for the strength of my work....my income.....my planning for retirement in 10 years.
But....
I rest soundly in the knowledge (and personal experience) that God does watch over me......over ALL of us. He has come to my rescue dozens of times during the greatest trials of my life over the past 40 years of my adult life. He has NEVER let go of me...of my hand.
And for that..I will ALWAYS be grateful......
The DIFFERENCE between 1993 and NOW is this.......
I was all caught up in THIS life in 1993.....and now.......I can't wait for the NEXT LIFE....and the RETURN of Jesus Christ. It seems so very very near, that I have a hard time focusing on things in this life each day...even focusing on things I know I NEED to be doing to "survive" THIS life..especially IF I "DO" get all the way to retirement in 11 years...
Ah.....the old phrase: "He's so heavenly minded, he's no earthly good!" One needs to guard against that risk.......you DO still need to be doing something for God.......and for your family.....and for others.... you can't just qui, sit in the hammock and wait for the Rapture....no matter HOW MUCH you might like to do that !! lol.....!
But I know THIS: God has ALWAYS seen me through......no reason now to think He won't.....no matter what happens!!
Anyway.....just sharing...
TICK TOCK,
Randy