Mark 13 reads like an apocalyptic film script. Wars, rumors of wars, nation against nation. Natural disasters simultaneously. An earthquake in one place, wildfires in another. Feuds, fractures and fallouts within families. People deceiving others on a grand scale and many are swept away in the current. Thinking the lie was true, they are caught up in the deception without even realizing it. In verse 7, Jesus said not to be alarmed. He also admonished them (and us) to watch out. In other words, pay attention to what you are hearing and to what you are seeing.

Mark 13 - Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.”

The beginning of birth pains seems like the worst thing possible, yet Jesus said it was only the beginning. More pain and struggle will follow. Yet what is the end result after the labor pains, contractions and effort? A new life. Great joy follows the waiting, the pain and the effort. Not always, but most times there is an expectation and anticipation prior to the actual birth. Focusing on what is coming gives the parents a hope filled perspective, a perspective focusing on the joy coming.

This is a new way of looking at this portion of the Gospels where Jesus is informing his followers of what to expect. I admit, I am in the camp with those prone to be alarmed. I have the personality that worries and what if’s her way through far too many days. It requires an invisible kick in the backside to shift my attention back to what is true. An ongoing two steps forward and one step back dance. Once I have pivoted and have my gaze lined up once again, I am able to see a broader view. After the struggles, the end will be beautiful. A beautiful new life, more magnificent than anything ever imagined or experienced will come to be. Cue a sigh of relief. An awe filled reality better than ever before.

So, there will be wars, rumors of wars and hard times ahead. I will pay attention to what I am hearing and seeing. I will not be alarmed. I will remember what Jesus said. I will remember the truth, and this is the truth. God is on the throne. There will be hard times, disturbing times and we know how it will end. We win.

We will not know exact times. We will not know what life will look like for us individually. But this we can be sure of. We are known. We are loved. We have been adopted as sons and daughters of the Most High God. No one and nothing can or will change it. Praise God!

What about you? Are you keeping watch and staying alert? Are you being pulled away in the current of news feeds or are you planted on the Rock-solid truth of scripture?