Is the world coming to an end or am I ending in the world?

Living in America, it seems that if anything happens out of the norm, some people immediately think we are going to live through an “end of the world” event!  September 11^th we all knew something bad was happening but some jumped to the conclusion that the end of the world was coming.  When hurricane Katrina hit, the people went crazy.  Stealing, fighting and even murdering.  Believe me, a lot of people came to support others during these events; however, at the same time, a lot of people were worrying about how their world was coming to an end and they were not even a part of the event.  I can see if you are living in something so terrifying, but if you are just listening to the news, how can you come to this conclusion?

In very few parts of America, as well as a lot of places outside of the U.S., people live every day like it is there last and this is just a normal day to them.  Bombs going off, gun shots coming through the window while eating dinner, children prostituting themselves, people being kidnaped into slavery, and on and on.  Compared to the vast majority of the world, I would say that I do not have an issue in my life.  Due to my life not having issues, I have to wonder if one big thing hits me how would I react?  Would I think the world is going to end or would I be ready?  Jesus said:

 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.  But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.  So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.  Matthew 24:36-44 (NIV)

Is the end when Jesus comes or when you die?  Are you living like you are going to live forever or are you living your life as if each moment is a gift from God?  It is going to end…