Tuesday, June 2
Have you ever watched a building implode? A switch is thrown and well-position packs of dynamite explode to bring the entire building down in a matter of minutes. All that is left is a pile of useless rubble and a billowing cloud of dust.
How tragic. A building that was carefully planned, wired, framed, decorated, and cleaned daily is suddenly brought down. A building that once hosted important meetings, parties, and other activities has now been wiped out of existence.
What would ever motivate someone to such a work of destruction? We know the answer—construction. Something newer and more beautiful will take its place. The old is done away with to make way for the new, just the way a farmer clears a field of last year’s remains, so he can plant another crop.
God’s work on earth involves destruction and construction. Old things are meant to pass away so that new ones can come into existence.
St. Peter talked to the early Christians about this (2 Peter 3:12-18).
“Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the elements melted by fire.”
God is about to make a new move upon earth. Are we to be scared or excited? Probably both. His coming is preceded by some form of destruction. Peter talks about the heavens and the earth being dissolved by fire. Some have compared this to the great flood of Noah’s day. This “implosion” however is just a short phase to the day of God.
“But according to his promise we await new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
God has a plan to re-construct the heavens and the earth in a way that manifests his holiness. We pray daily, “Thy kingdom come, they will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” His presence on earth will create a peace and order that reflects the climate of heaven. Therefore, we look beyond the “implosion” part of God’s plan into the rebuilding project.
This vision has stirred hope and anticipation in the hearts of Christians throughout the ages.
Peter tells us not only to “wait for” but also to “hasten” this day of God. How do we do this?
“Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be eager to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.”
We anticipate the new work of God with eagerness. Working in the power of the Holy Spirit we say no to sin and yes to holiness. In doing this we allow the seeds of the new creation to be born right now within us. By allowing sinful parts of us to implode, we open a space for Jesus to dwell within us more fully.
“Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on your guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled…But grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.”
What do the “unprincipled” say? As they watch their building implode, they give way to hopelessness—the end has come, they think. Peter tells us to be on guard against such thinking. The end is only a prelude to the great work this is already beginning. Though we share in the mourning, we keep our focus on growing in grace—the inner life of the Holy Spirit, Jesus within.
“May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to his call” (Ephesians 1:17-18)
