Reflections after an earthquake

Well, I've had lots of time to ponder my thoughts after the earthquake. An earthquake brings exposure to faultlines and cracks in foundations. Buildings that were supposedly built strong now come tumbling down. Just like in our own lives, we put on outward appearances that we have it all together but when a crisis hits unexpectedly, it exposes and challenges our belief systems. Do what we believe in comfort or let us down? I'd have to say that mine proved to me I was on solid ground. The words that came to me were "Fear not, I am with you. My rod and staff they comfort you." I looked up these words later. They can be found in Psalm 23. This is my mom's favourite scripture passage. It reads ..."Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me." I wondered what the significance of the rod and staff were supposed to mean to me during a quake. I got my answer this week when our teacher commented that a shepherd may sometimes carry his lamb around his neck so the lamb will learn to recognize the shepherd's voice and not wander off because sheep are dumb animals. Anyway, it spoke to me that the rod and staff represent that I have a Shepherd named Jesus, whose voice I recognize, because he carries me close to his heart and he's always interceding on my behalf to my heavenly Father. The earthquake didn't take my Father by surprise. Because I recognize his voice he was able to comfort me while I felt like a dumb sheep. To validate God knew about the quake, allow me to share a story that illustrates this point. You may remember I had mentioned that ninety students along with staff had to move north of here because we are full. Where they moved to was the epicentre of the quake! They had buildings collapse with no one in them! My favourite story is they had no drinking water because the pipes burst so they decided to empty the ice machine and let the ice melt. While they were scooping the ice out they discovered all these big bottles of water buried under the ice. God knew they would need this and had it waiting for them! I know this sounds hokey to some of you reading this but I have heard all kinds of stories like this all week. This particular group of students are going to Africa to work with children who are orphans because of Aids. Their school is named the Compassion Focus. Before they left our campus the leadership felt God was moving them up north to demonstrate God's love to that town. After the quake they have been helping the locals clean up their stores and homes. So, I want to challenge you today, don't let a good shaking expose the cracks in your belief system because if you think you can patch it up, the aftershocks will do you in. Aloha!