Gospel Prism

Anyone who lives in California understands that earthquakes come with the territory. This is the price to pay for nice weather all year round, beautiful topography, and tremendous natural resources. And since I’ve been in the Bay Area (1999), I have probably felt about 10 earthquakes, but yesterday’s by far was definitely the biggest and longest. In fact, many are saying it was the largest earthquake since the 1989 quake that disrupted the World Series and crumbled the Bay Bridge.

My family and I were having family devotions at the time, Shua had two kids in her lap while Charisa and Sarah were right beside me as I read to them. Suddenly, I could feel the rumble and I got up almost in a daze and went to the door frame–without my kids! It was almost as if I had lost my mind. Then I remembered, my kids and I grabbed two of them while Shua took the other two and we huddled together.

A few thoughts from that moment: 1) I need to maintain calm and clear thinking during a disaster. This was a good practice wake up call for me to remain level-headed when no one else is, and to have a plan. 2) James 4:14 says: “For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” This quake reminded me that my life is a vanishing mist. So in my prayers this morning, I focused on the finality of my life, and my desire to live all of it for His glory.

Through this quake, I learned that at heart I am selfish, self-preservation means more than anything else. So if left alone apart from the grace of God, I am and always will be a self-centered wretch who would and should be utterly despised. I also learned that my life can vanish in an instant. God does hold it in His hand, and should He release me, there can be no hope. But this is why grace is, as John Newton writes so beautifully, so amazing!