I wonder if Peter was the first person to stand in the center of crowded city streets wearing a sandwich board proclaiming “The End is NEAR!” Even if he never carved those actual words onto an animal skin and paraded it around town shouting predictions of gloom and doom to the masses, he DID etch those words into an everlasting document that is still relevant to us today
“The end of all things is near…”
I Peter 4:7a
His words don’t sound less like a warning shouted in fear of the unknown “end” to me, and more like an excited shriek of enthusiasm–an animated call to join him in an adventure to live dangerously while waiting for his Savior’s promised return.
Paul, profound influencer and spreader of the gospel, may have informed Peter’s call to action with his exhortation in Romans 13:11-12 “And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here.” If Paul was urging people to revival in his day, how much closer are we to it actually being “morning”?
Should knowing that the clock is ticking elicit a carpe diem mentality in us? Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow you die? No, instead we should be inspired to live like we are dying, to live dangerously.
Living dangerously doesn’t mean living recklessly, it actually means the opposite–living diligently. The more dangerous the undertaking, the more disciplined the preparation. An Ironman triathlete trains for years before competing, because the chances of his body shutting down and dying on the course are great. A Mount Everest climber prepares and practices for the climb years in advance studying the terrain and taking measures to remain safe and mount the summit in order to be successful. Neglecting to prepare can end in death and failure to complete the mission.
The same goes for the incredible task of sharing the word of God. It is a dangerous undertaking because of the power words have to help transform lives. Hebrews 4:12
So, are you in? Do you feel the urgency of the ticking clock when you hear Peter’s call to live dangerously? Are you anticipating the return of Christ, and like Peter–living dangerously and inviting others to join the adventure and passionately living out the moments preparing for that great day?
Part 2, how you can prepare to live dangerously.
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