Disaster! Have you ever been involved in a disaster? Maybe you have had a fire near you or even had to actually evacuate and even lost your house. Or maybe you have been in the pathway of a tornado or hurricane. Or maybe your house has been struck by lightning, which is what happened to our neighbours. Whatever the disaster, it can be so devastating. Fear can take over and even anger can come into play.
I went to a continuing education convention to do with my business. It was a very big convention with people coming in from many different locations. Some of our group came from Florida, Montana, and Oregon. With all the devastating fires in Montana and Oregon, there was constant watch to make sure at any point if they needed to drop everything and rush home. And then those that were from Florida had to change flights and head home almost immediately, not knowing for sure if they could even make it to their home before the devastation from the hurricane would hit their house.
Those that are living near the fires not only have to worry about losing their houses but they also are struggling with their health due to the smoke. And those that are not near the fires have also suffered from the smoke. The oxygen is so polluted that it is having effects on many.
This summer has seemed such a time for disasters with all the hurricanes and fires. And many people can be living in fear of tomorrow. Last week a friend packed what they could in their car with them and their parents and headed out of the danger zone. It was taking 11 plus hours to travel a 4-hour distance. There have been whole islands that have been destroyed with still another hurricane coming. And then there is fire sweeping across many states destroying land and homes.
If we have not been directly affected yet by a devastating disaster we wonder what might be coming our way and if we have something to fear. It is easy to think that everyone else is having trouble, we are fine but then are we really safe.
The question is how do you prepare for such devastating disasters. What things are the most important? Some may think about getting their things out. Others just worry about themselves getting out. While still others want to help their family and friends out too.
It makes me think of the Christian walk. The most devastating disasters are yet to come. And as Christians how are we preparing for it. To me the most important things are people. We can’t save things but we can save people. We may not be able to save the bodies but we can save the souls. All we need to fear is that which is “able to destroy both soul and body”.
So what can we do? I believe that God is waiting for a people who perfectly reflect His character. As we do this, His truth will go to the entire world. Those that are seeking for something different will be drawn to us by the love of God because we are perfectly reflecting His character.
We cannot do this on our own. I heard said, “’Taking up your cross’ involves cheerful submission to the trials and afflictions that God allows in the course of following Him.” As we take up our cross it leads us toward reflecting Christ. We will gain:
- Victory over the temptation to sin.
- Intimate fellowship with Christ.
- Fulfilling God’s purpose for our life.
I also heard said, “Cross-bearing flows out of love for Christ and involves doing whatever is necessary to accomplish God’s will.” We need to do this daily. The question is, what does taking your cross up daily mean?
- Cease to make independent, selfish decisions and begin to fully follow God’s will.
- Go beyond short-term commitments to total surrender to God.
- Instead of focusing on personal pleasures, live for God.
- Evaluate every word and deed based on how they show God’s love.
- Forsaking the distractions of worldly things and activities.
We have just a little time to escape from the “Hurricane, fire, etc.” of this world. We need to be packing up all our “valuables” so that when the time comes we can escape. The valuables are people’s character. We can only take care of our own characters. But if our characters are reflecting Christ we will influence others so that their characters will be ready.
Dear Father,
Help us keep our focus where it should be. We know that Your coming is soon. We ask You to surround us with Your love. And as we stay close to You refine our characters so that we can be Your witnesses.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Love you all.
What experience have you had with hurricanes, fires, earthquakes, tornado’s etc.? And how did the Lord see you through? Share your story here.