Thursday, August 2, 2007

bridges

Tragic. Sad. Deeply painful. To watch on the news the story of the bridge collapse in Minneapolis.

My brain always goes funny places. I don't like bridges over water. I am afraid of heights. This would have been my worst nightmare. And for many who were actually there, it was.

We pray for those who are injured. We pray for those who have loved ones who are dead or missing.

How can these things happen? Technology has brought us great joys, great opportunities, and great calamities. Unfortunately, sometimes, really bad things happen. The space shuttle explodes, skywalks fall, a bridge collapses.

These are all frightening reminders that we are but dust. Our lives are very fragile. We spring up like the grass and then wither.

24For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
1 Peter 1:24-25

James says it very well:
13Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." James 4:13-15

We cannot trust in the changing winds of life. We cannot live as if we are kings. As if we have power and control. We must remember in times like these, and at all times, that we put our hope in God. He is our only foundation, our only hope. He is the ground of our being.

In spite of sorry and tragedy, we put our trust in the Lord.

It is still a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

1 comment:

Song of Deborah said...

May the Lord Jesus Christ be especially close to the families of those who lost their lives on the bridge in Minneapolis this week.

Thank you Pastor, for reminding us there is hope, even in the midst of tragedy and pain.

Deb Spaulding
Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO
www.songofdeborah.com