2 choices for the focus of our faith

Have you ever dropped a small piece of food on the floor, quickly picked it up, and then popped it into your mouth?

Some people call this the “five second rule.” It is the belief that if one can rescue a dropped food item off of the floor, within five seconds, germs and bacteria will not be on it. Thus, it can be consumed without worry.

However, science has proven this theory to be false. Once that item hits the floor it has contact with these undesirables.

In spite of the above, in front of a multitude of witnesses, I recently ate a raw almond that I dropped on the floor. I picked it up after 10 whole seconds. That’s twice as long as “the rule” allows. Yet, I live to tell the tale.

Some Christians emphasize “the end times” and are not shy about telling others. They quote the book of Revelation, as well as Jesus’ words in Matthew and Luke, that speak of great tribulations.

Some interpret these passages as only applying to those who directly heard the speaker or read the original writings.

However, if this is what you believe, there is still an application to the here and now. For us, as a society, over the span of a greater length of time, we have endured challenges, and many still place hope in Christ.

In the history of our nation, we have endured wars (such as the Civil War, World War 1, World War II), pestilence (pandemic flu events like the 1918 H1N1 outbreak that killed an estimated 500,000 Americans), earthquakes (such as the 9.2 event of 1964 near Anchorage, Alaska) and terrible storms (such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005).

We have a choice in exactly how we frame the above. We can emphasize end times. Another choice is to believe that these hardships are a part of living on this earth and continue to minister.

We can emphasize a faith walk that shouts about the signs and that our time is short. Another choice is not worrying about all of this. We focus upon being Christ’s hands and feet. We minister to those around us; our faith continues to make a difference to those in need.

There will be plenty of opportunities for outward focused ministry — in the midst of the continued presence of germs and bacteria, as well as earthquakes and storms.

Walter is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and has served as parish pastor for more than 25 years.