The End is Near!

The last couple of times we’ve gone down to Orem, there’s been a young college-age man standing on the sidewalk as you drive up the hill on University. Both times he’s been holding a carefully made cardboard sign saying “The End is Near.” I’m really not certain what that’s all about. He is well groomed and wears nice clothes. He definitely does not look like a lunatic. It may just be some kind of a promotion. I keep looking for a business called “The End” opening up close to where he stands. Or maybe he’s doing a college psychology project to see how people react to him. Who knows?

But the thought is provoking. There were people who did that years ago during the 60’s Hippy Movement as well. Usually they had long beards and hair and wore robes. They were definitely on a high. But this guy is not. He actually appears to be very normal, very intelligent.

And he’s right – “The End” is near. Every day we come to endings of sorts. There are always last times or endings –last time we wear our favorite pair of shoes. Last time we read that book, or watch that show. Or (taking this from a favorite Women’s Conference speaker) last time we visiting teach that person, last time we see that friend or say “I love you” to someone dear.

If there was a big warning in the brain, a light bulb that goes off and says “Caution. You’ll never see this person again, you’ll never have this opportunity again, you’ll never do this again…” we’d certainly pay more attention to what we’re doing or saying, wouldn’t we? But we just go on with our lives, and one day we realize we’ve lost contact with that friend, or we’re getting older and our bodies just won’t let us do that anymore, or that loved one has passed away and we will not be seeing him or her in this lifetime ever again.

If I knew today was my last day on earth, what would I do differently? How could living my life like the end really is near make a difference in the person I am? If I would do anything differently, then there are still a lot of things in my life I need to work on.

And there are.