Day 13 The Things That Matter

 1/13/2025

My mind has been preoccupied with the disaster happening in California. I have been listening to testimonies of those who have suffered the loss of their homes, of those who have friends or loved ones who have escaped harm, some are missing their whereabouts uncertain, of firefighters battling the relentless blaze before another one starts, and of those who are offering support. People are terrified, angry, and shocked to the point of unbelief. It is a tragic thing that is happening, as we pray for rain and for the winds to die down. So many acres have burned, homes gone, animals and people have lost their lives. 

It is always comforting to see people rallying together to help each other. The bar has been dropped in Los Angeles, now the poor and rich sit together grieving, mending lives, trying to get a handle on exactly how something like this could happen. Why wasn't the government better prepared. Wild fires are prevalent in California, but the Santa Ana winds are generally not this fierce. Many questions are being asked, and there is much speculation. Meanwhile, people are suffering, grieving losses, asking questions, and wondering what to do next. 

Fortunately some churches have rallied to provide tangible help such as shelter, food, clothing, as many only ran out of danger with just the clothes on their backs. Restaurants and other businesses have been completely decimated, so food is one great necessity. This is a nightmare. Operation Blessing, Crisis Response International, and Samaritan's Purse have boots on the ground to assist in any way they can, especially with emotional and spiritual support, and helping people dig through the ash in the hope of finding something left of their former lives. Listening to the people talk about it, hearing how neighbors have been helping each other really warms my heart. It is as it should be all the time; not just in times of crisis. One man said that money and status or station in life, celebrity or otherwise, are insignificant at times like these, as they support and help one another. Homes of all sizes and value have been snuffed out in one cataclysmic inferno. It is at times like this that priorities take on a different meaning. People are more important than things.

What should we learn at times like these? North Carolina is still picking up the pieces since Hurricane Helene swept through destroying towns. Maui in Hawaii was victim to a crippling fire, and they are slowly rebuilding their lives. At a time when antisemitism is on the rise, the local synagogue opened their doors to all people, not just the Jewish citizens. Neighbor helping neighbor, reaching across the borders that have needlessly separated citizens of Los Angeles. All differences put aside to focus on the one thing needed - help in time of need, kindness, compassion, and a listening ear. Isn't this the way we should always conduct our lives? Shouldn't we always share the love of Christ with everyone, especially those who hurt, regardless of differing views? Jesus went around doing good. Words are not nearly as important as actions. This is what He taught. In His sermon on the mount He made things very clear. When asked what the two greatest commandments are, He responded as follows:

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”

Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:36-39 NKJV)

These are perilous times in our nation and in the world, and we are in great need of repentance and turning back to God. I have said many times, and the scriptures loudly state this truth: Judgment begins in the house of the Lord. (1 Peter 4:17) Before a hurting world can recognize their need for a Savior, for a life-changing miracle, the church as to wake up. It begins with one life realizing our need to take responsibility for our actions. We can learn a lesson from Moses and Daniel, great intercessors who first confessed their sins before a merciful, loving God, including themselves in the sins of a nation, even when they had not sinned themselves. This is the way it begins.

We need to greet each day with gratitude and thanksgiving. We need to help as many people as we can, however we can, for as long as we can. We need to share the greatest gift a person can have, the gift of eternal life. Since moving back home, I have met a few of my neighbors and rekindled old friendships, but I realize that I need to do more. I want to make that my priority. Thankfully, my parents' church, just across the highway from my parents' home, now my home, is one that reaches out into the community routinely, and it is one rich in discipleship, training people and equipping them to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, being a friend at all times, in season and out. 

I want to finish the race that is set before me. I want to reach for the prize of the high calling of Jesus Christ. I want to leap and dance and sing and praise and worship until my time here on this earth is done. I want to radiate His love in the joy of sharing my testimony of the reason of hope within me.