Last Saturday night is one of those unforgettable nights. Several of us were in the fellowship area at church to celebrate the graduation of one of our kids. We looked through the windows to see the rains come down and the winds blow and beat upon the building. Needing to leave, I borrowed one of the church umbrellas and decided to make a break for my car. I was about 40 feet from the building with lightening struck the church building. It destroyed our phone system, internet modems, two copy machines, computers, various other devices, and the peace of all who were in the building.
Since I was not “in the building” one might think I escaped the shock. In fact, the lightening knocked me down. I got up and struggled to the car. I was shocked, confused and grateful to be alive. My knees were wounded from falling on the parking lot, but my life was spared so that is okay. The next morning Liz looked at the umbrella I was carrying and there were holes melted in it. I have nursed my sore knees all week, but my life as spared. From this shocking event I am reminded of three truths.
1. Change comes in a Flash
We all like to think that any disaster that comes upon us will always come with plenty of warning, but that is not the case. Maybe we can feel the flu coming on for a few days, but most of life’s hard moments come like a bolt from the blue. One minute you are fine and the next life is changed. Christians must learn to live their lives ready for whatever might come.
2. Things and Stuff and Junk are not Paramount
Broken computers, ruined copy machines, and dead phones systems can all be repaired or replaced. People are more precious than things and stuff and junk. When you are the one knocked down by lightening you have no trouble identifying with this point.
3. Tomorrow is not Guaranteed
On Saturday morning I had little reason to believe that tomorrow would be in doubt. We all plan our lives like they will go on forever. They will not. One day, like a bolt from the blue everything here will be over. It is okay. Tomorrow in eternity is guaranteed.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.