in the last days

Written 67 years after Jesus Christ was crucified and raised from the dead, 2 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul to encourage his brother in faith, Timothy.

2 Timothy 3: 1 explains that, "in the last days, there will be very difficult times." Paul continues by sharing "for people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents and ungrateful.  They will consider nothing sacred."

In the last days, there is unloving.
In the last days, there is unforgiving.
In the last days, there is slander.
In the last days, there is no self-control.
In the last days, there is cruelty.
In the last days, there is hate.
In the last days, there is betrayal, recklessness, pride, love of pleasure.
In the last days, there is depravation.
In the last days, there is counterfeit faith.
In the last days.

As I grapple with the horror of twenty 1st graders mercilessly being shot, as I struggle to understand the death of 6 educators, and I wrestle with the hate and the evil and the pain, I am reminded that one thousand-nine-hundred-forty-five-years-ago, a letter was written to give insight, to offer encouragement, and to warn of days to come.

And no matter how long these last days last, I have been alerted to the brutal reality of them.
No amount of denial, of blame, of self-righteousness,
no amount of justification, or investigation, or theorizing, or bargaining,
will erase or explain...the truth I face is how will I choose to live.

Will I forgive?
Will I love?
Will I speak truth?
Will I use self-control?
Will I offer kindness?
Will I keep friendship sacred, be cautious and wise,
Will I be humble?
Will I live in deep, abiding, obedient faith?