A preacher friend reminded me of Ira North’s statement of his beloved state of Tennessee: “It is the state that pillows its head in the Great Smoky Mountains and dips its feet in the mighty Mississippi.”
This week we have seen its pillow burning with fire. We will hear of much by way of tragedy concerning this disaster, while we will likely also hear of heroism to save and rescue people, wildlife, homes, etc.
We know the Gatlinburg church of Christ building was destroyed and several members lost their homes completely. There are efforts through our brotherhood to help the congregation there and their members.
It gives us a moment to pause and be reminded of this life’s tragedies that we all face. Some have gone through storms, floods, and fires such as this with great loss. Some have come through these disasters unscathed or with very little loss at all.
These physical disasters are often compared to the spiritual storms and fires which plague us in this life. Paul wrote: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13). These, we all share in common, and we are told to rely on and help “bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2).
It also gives us a moment to pause and be reminded of this life’s wondrous blessings through Christ (Eph. 1:3). As children of God, we soon learn that we are not alone (1 Cor. 10:12), and we have a wonderful family in Christ upon which we can share (fellowship) and care (love & compassion) and show to the world (evangelize) to whom we belong. John wrote: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).
~Wayne Rodgers
