Not Your Mama's Rapture

The Rapture might just look a little different than this.
(picture credit: https://www.swrc.com/media/wysiwyg/rapture.jpg)

There is an awful experience that I hope you have never endured, even though I think you probably have. Maybe this event occurs in a pivotal romantic relationship. Sometimes it happens on the playgrounds of our youth. And sadly, this scarring incident can take place in the innocence of our family of origin. Almost every single human being walking the face of the earth has at one point or another felt the suffocating heartbreak of being abandoned.

Whether you were not the right fit for someone, you were not fast enough in the schoolyard, or you were mistakenly seen as not enough by a parent or sibling that cold feeling of being left out can mark us for the rest of our lives. At times when my own insides were hollow except for the sting of rejection I would instinctively look to God, my strength and my redeemer. I can recall distinct moments when I leaned on this teaching that God’s Spirit always stuck with me no matter where I went, what I did, or what happened to me (Luke 24:49; John 3:8; John 14:26; Acts 2:4). If this belief is true, like I hope it is, then today’s Gospel Lesson from the Daily Office leaves me confused and on the verge of that empty sensation.

Luke 17 (our lesson for today) along with several other passages from Holy Scripture (Matthew 24; Daniel 12; Revelation) state that the moment of judgment separates some from God. Whether it is sheep and goats or wheat and chaff it seems that Jesus points out that some and not all receive a welcome inside, instead of where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Sticking with our current lesson, Jesus tells us that “On that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding meal together; one will be taken and the other left” (Luke 17:36-37). So how are we to make sense of these two teachings: God’s presence remains with us no matter what AND one will be taken by God and the other one discarded?

I do not have an easy answer to this, for no one has ever experienced the moment of rapture as it is popularly described. Perhaps some have been taken away, but for those of us who remain if we observed such an occurrence would we really want to talk about it? All sarcasm aside, the way that we interpret the End of Days needs some real attention. For we can so easily slip into a practice of believing that whatever we are doing is right and will lead to being swooped up by God, while others will be left looking around as God beams us up to heaven.

While I hope in my heart that God did not, does not, and will not abandon us, there is also reason to believe in this Truth more than just the feeling of one preacher. In this same passage from Luke 17 Jesus answers the Pharisees’ (not his favorite lads) question about the Kingdom of God’s coming by saying, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you.” Jesus was assuredly talking about his earthly work, but that kingdom continues as we recognize the Christ within us. Additionally, if we are to believe that the Kingdom of God is already here then more of Jesus’ words are not so cryptic and like what the head of a cartel might say, but rather clues to how to live into the kingdom life.

Jesus tells his disciples, “On that day [when the Son of Man comes, which is happening NOW], anyone on the housetop who has belongings in the house must not come down to take them away; and likewise anyone in the field must not turn back… Those who try to make their life secure will lose it, but those who lose their life will keep it.” The moment of God’s Coming is not some distant time in the future, but right this very second.

We must not be distracted by the tasks of the hour, but live every moment recognizing that the Kingdom of God exists around us and within us. One might be distracted by trying to secure life instead of living in the presence of Christ that is within us all. When we focus too much on security we miss the Son of Man returning. Other instances when we focus on locking up more profits, more success, more things distracts us from seeing the richness God bestows to us in every moment. Does this mean we no longer farm, work, eat, drink, or go about our daily life? No, rather God’s constant “rapturing,” as the Son of Man comes to us in ourselves and in our neighbor means that our lives are altered not ended.

That feeling of being left out stings our entire being whether it at recess, by a lover, or in our family. We may take Jesus’ words to mean that God will leave us out if we are not careful; however, we are the ones who choose whether to take part in a relationship with the Almighty. Christ eternally comes to us in every moment. The Spirit always dwells with us. Our Creator leaves imprints on every fabric of our being. We cannot opt out of God’s love for us. We might choose to focus instead on securing this life, but in that moment we are not cast into the outer darkness, rather we miss that Christ’s presence is with us calling us ever deeper into relationship with the Divine.