Are We Living In End Times ?

Another big earthquake !  Last night before bed, I saw on the news that a strong 7.4 shook parts of Alaska.   My first thought was Matthew 24:⁶ You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷ Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of birth pains.   Then I was reminded of how many times I have thought about this verse in the past 2 years or so.   In a moment, I felt fearful.  I don't want the world to end.  I want to see my great grandchildren and grow old together with Emery.   In truth, that moment of fear came also from worry that I am not ready.  Yes, I know, its not by our acts that we are saved.  Got that, but I do think our actions or probably more important, our lack of good actions, play a part in how we will be judged.   I think end times come in every ones life anyway.  We die and that's the end for us.  These world events that send a shiver of uncertainty through us are good, they serve to make us look at our lives.  What is important to us, a new kitchen or is it something far more life changing, building a school in a third world country or helping to provide medications for someone in need.  Perhaps buying life changing books for an afternoon school program.   It reminds us that there is a difference between need and want.  What I want, is not always something I need.  It reminds us that peace in our hearts is the most precious possession we can ever have.  These earth shaking's and disasters remind us we are not in control of everything and even the smallest level of OCD is futile.  It reminds us that our loved ones are gifts, priceless gifts that are tied to our hearts by cords of love.  The world around us with all its chaos and strife do not have to be part of our lives.  We can choose to live differently, choose to just view all the hurried pace out there, can be seen separated from our lives, as if we are just viewing the craziness outside the window of our peaceful existence.  I remember feeling that way when we were part of the "plain" world.  The "world" seemed separated from my life.  Its not a bad feeling.  So, if we are living in the End Times,  we can still find peace and lay all worry and concerns about that at the feet of the Master, for Him to take upon His shoulders for us.  We can still embrace peace and joy and contentment in a world that is so full of conflict.