Jeremiah 31:21 "Set up for yourself roadmarks, place for yourself guideposts; direct your mind to the highway…"
The recent tragedy in Haiti teaches us many things about the simple, usually-taken-for-granted-things in life. One that is underscored and usually least on anyone’s mind is the simple loss of “markers” or locaters, the simple street signs of life that usually go unnoticed until such tragedy takes place. The easy pointers to locate loved ones – have now been obliterated. Here in South Florida, no stranger to hurricanes, we experienced similar loss (though never on the scope of this recent earthquake) of “markers” that helped us navigate life on a daily basis. Often ignored – but always utilized, those street signs let us find our homes, our businesses, and yes – our churches.
This can give us many important illustrations about our own spiritual life, our church life and generally our existence if we pay heed. For life in Christ without “markers” is generally a misguided and under-resourced life at best! Just what are the things that can shake you or even shake the church?
Over the next several weeks I will be blogging about what I consider to be important life lessons about direction in God. I hope you will take an opportunity to share your thoughts with me as well as you read. For starters, it is important to note that what God puts in us is not meant to be shaken. It allows us to be centered in life through thick and thin. That is what Jeremiah was prophesying to the Children of Israel – “It was time to return to that which centered them!” Get back the “street signs” that lead you in the right direction!
It is not a revelation that crisis has a way of making us also question the “unquestionables” – those things that are supposed to be SURE in our life. When life as we know it in times of peace is shaken – there is at times disorientation in us and the church due to adversity! Yet, God assures us of “peace in the midst of storms” for such times! The Haitian people will forever be a testimony of resilience in the midst of horrors. For the images of worshippers streaming to sing and pray in the middle of rubble and dead bodies should leave us no doubt of where their trust is centered in the crisis of their life! May God say the same about us.
Roadmarks indeed are vital. Blessings, Brother!
Posted by: Steve Witt | 02/01/2010 at 06:38 PM