February 18, 2001
CYBERCOLUMN:
Daily Journal
___By Donna Van Cleve
___They laughed at me again today. Why can't I get them to understand me? I just want to obey the Lord, and they treat me as if I'm touched in the head. They think I'm a stick in the mud when I can't help with their constant recreational activities and sports and money-making ventures on the Sabbath, but my conscience will not allow me.
___Over the years, my neighbors' worship has shifted from the Lord to their social calendars. And many have pivoted their lives around their children's lives and their activities. All these sorts of things aren't necessarily bad, but when they allow them to eliminate the Lord from their lives, it becomes sacrilegious. All those things will pass away—sooner than they realize. Why can't they see that?
DONNA VAN CLEVE
___I try to tell them that their time is short—that they need to repent of their selfish ways and turn back to the Lord, but they just scorn me. I try to tell them about God's plan of salvation—that they are doomed to destruction without it, but they are too busy to listen. Their lives are too full right now to include God. I get so discouraged at times knowing that many of these people are going to die, but God has told me to keep doing what he has called me to do. The work has been difficult and time-consuming, but it is a good feeling knowing that God has entrusted me with this awesome task.
___If these people were strangers to me, I wouldn't feel as great a need to warn them. But I've known these folks most all of their lives! I've worked with them, laughed and cried with them, and yes, even loved them in spite of their indifference to my Lord. I've attended countless weddings and celebrations alongside them. But this last project the Lord wills me to do has really set me apart from them. If only they would open their spiritual eyes and hearts.
___ Well, I see that my sons are back again with another load of hay. They have been such a joy and help to me. I thank God every day that he blessed me with faithful sons. They have stood beside me even when everyone else has ridiculed us and what we have been doing for the Lord these many years. For some reason, I feel very hopeful for the future because of my children.
___My heart is heavy, though, for what the Lord has said he will do because of those who have rejected him. Lately, I have been hearing an ominous rumble in the skies that I have never heard before. I don't know exactly what that means, but I do know our time is short, and our task is almost finished.
___The townfolk have been gathering off and on today to watch the huge number of animals that have gathered around us—the people seem to be fascinated and highly amused by it all. Maybe they'll listen to me today …
___ I'll continue this on the ark …
___ * * *
___ Jesus said to the disciples, "And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise as it was also in the days of Lot: They ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but on the day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even so will it be in the day when the Son of Man is revealed" (Luke 17:26-30).
___ Donna Van Cleve is director of the public library in Cotulla, a writer, wife, mother and member of First Baptist Church in Cotulla, where she is pianist.
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