The region of southern Idaho we live in (near Twin Falls) is undergoing a steady diet of rain this week, following several feet of snow that inundated us over the last six to eight weeks. There are closed highways, flooded roads, and houses that are being swamped by rain and melted snow. My teaching partner is gone today because the sandbags finally gave way and made her house unlivable (she'd had a fire that destroyed the upstairs in December - talk about being tested!). We may have to cancel our school district's classes tomorrow if it continues the rest of the day - emergency services are already stretched to the breaking point.
And the water is not limited to our little neighborhood. All of the south end of the state, everywhere from California inward has pulled out the snorkel gear and waders. It's like the joke in Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy's radio series (the best version, by the way!) - "The infinite improbability drive created 350 million lightly poached eggs which landed on (whatever planet it was - don't remember, doesn't matter). Everyone had just died of starvation except for one man, who died sometime later of cholesterol poisoning."
The situation reminds me of the story of the man down in New Orleans during
Hurricane Katrina a few years back. He was a devout Christian, and when all
others around him had abandoned their homes when the flooding poured in, he stood
resolutely there, confident in the knowledge that “GOD WILL PROVIDE”. So, it’s
gotten knee deep in water, and a police boat cruises down the street, and a
policeman says to him through the bullhorn, “Sir, come with us, and we’ll get
you to safety!”
“No thank you, officer!”, he
shouts back. “GOD WILL PROVIDE.”
Soon, the flooding has risen
belly-high, and another police boat comes by. “Sir, we must insist! Come with
us to safety!”
But again, the man has
confidence in the Lord, shouting. “No thank you, sir – GOD WILL PROVIDE!”
Finally, the waters have
completely inundated his house and his entire street. He’s reduced to standing
on the roof of his house, the water still lapping on his ankles, and an
emergency helicopter came by. “Sir! We’re lowering a harness! Strap yourself in
and come with us to safety! It’s for your own protection!”
But, even then, he refuses their
offer with that familiar refrain: “NO THANK YOU! GOD WILL PROVIDE!”
So the water kept rising, and he
drowned.
NOW, he’s up in Heaven,
faithful and saved by his love of Jesus Christ, and he comes to the Lord Jesus,
and pleads with him.
“Father! Father! Why did You
forsake me in my hour of need? Why when the flood came didn’t you send me Your
heavenly aid?”
To which
the Lord replies, “Are you kidding? I sent you two boats and a helicopter,
didn’t I?”
Our salvation is all around us - God gave us community to support one another. Man was not meant to live alone; that's why the Creator created a partner for Adam. Not simply for procreation, but for companionship, for teamwork. Read Genesis 2:18⇨
Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
NOT a wife - a helper. Adam's reaction is notable: "This at last is bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh." His desire was for a companion to share his experiences with and help him through difficulties.
GOD'S FIRST GIFT TO MAN was a companion.
Let Him give YOU that same gift. BE PART of a church, a community, a family. What that looks like is different for everyone, though - my biological family is small and distant, but I also have my children, ages 11-20, and I have beloved god-sisters and an ex-sister-in-law I adore and very close friends who care for me (and vice versa) as would a sibling. My "family" is rather extended, but it works for me.
What works for you undoubtedly looks different, but make sure your family photo requires a wide-angle lens! Don't try to make your life a one-man show.
What works for you undoubtedly looks different, but make sure your family photo requires a wide-angle lens! Don't try to make your life a one-man show.
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