Reduced to lowest terms
I was not a talented mathematician. When my sons were in school, helping with fractions was the bane of my existence. No one could have television until homework was checked. Very often, the boys would have the right answer but had not reduced the answer to its simplest form. You remember—8/16 equals 1/2. Hurricane Michael has had that effect on those of us here in the Florida Panhandle. We have been reduced to lowest terms: faith and family.
Those who did not have faith in Jesus Christ are suffering because their lives were based on other causes. You can hear the bewilderment of those who call in in desperation to the radio stations. One man admitted yesterday that he was not on speaking terms with God and he felt numbed by all the devastation. Even those of us who know Jesus have been shaken because we are comfort-driven— or worried about stuff, investments, the things worked for. One family member cried about the destruction of her timber. I wondered if she cried as much for her grandchildren’s salvation. We can’t take it with us. What a picture of the modern church! What would we do when real persecution comes? I am reminded of what the Bible says about wood, hay and stubble as I watch bulldozers pile belongings into house high piles to be loaded for the dump. Only what we work for in God’s kingdom will last! That cannot be taken away from us. Michael is a reminder that I haven’t laid up enough treasure where moth and rust doesn’t corrupt, and thieves don’t steal (See Matthew 6:21). This is a perfect opportunity to share His love with those who don’t know Jesus and those whose love has grown cold. Only friendship with Jesus brings comfort right now. I replayed many old hymns in my head over the last few weeks. One of them was
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace (Helen Lemmel 1922).
Living in the midst of destruction and chaos also brings your real family to the forefront. Sometimes it is your neighbor or your employer that loves you like a brother. Panama City Superintendent of Schools said the week of the storm, “I’ve spoken more to my neighbors in the last week than I have in years.” Neighbors are cooking together and pooling resources. Those with power and running water are inviting those that don’t to come wash a load of clothes or get a hot shower. The local radio and television stations housed many of their employees and their families. I’ve heard more public prayer and blessings in the last weeks than the ACLU will ever have time to file grievances over. We all rejoiced this morning to hear on the radio that every missing person in Mexico Beach has been accounted for. That isn’t true everywhere. Many employers have reached out to make sure their workers have a check even when they didn’t work all week. I have watched the highways fill with equipment streaming in from dozens of states to repair and nourish. Churches are holding services in shelters. God’s hand is working through human hands to encourage and refresh. That’s how people will know Jesus is real!
The Bible Belt and its ideology often take a hit from the politically correct. We don’t claim to be perfect. But, we’ve been watching ideology in action. It’s beautiful to see in such a difficult time.
Thank you, God, for what the storms teach us.
It is so good to hear that people are pulling together after the devastation of the hurricane.