It was the perfect Autumn morning for a jog.
The air was crisp but not cool enough for a jacket. As my sneaker-clad feet fell into a rhythm hitting the pavement below, my attention was drawn to an enormous crack in the sidewalk. I was praying as I often do while jogging when the Lord brought to my attention that I skip over the same crack each time without giving it a thought.
The crack was most likely from one of the many earthquakes we experience in Southern California. I happen to live along one of the largest and most famous fault lines in the world called the San Andreas Fault. Its notoriety comes partly from the disastrous 1906 San Francisco earthquake, but more importantly, because it runs through some of the most heavily populated and developed parts of the planet, it has the most destructive potential of all fault lines.
Despite this well-known information, the average citizens here in California don’t think about or prepare nearly enough for a major earthquake. We go on living like there is no threat, but scientists have been telling us for years that the “Big One” is coming.
Why do we ignore something so important?
Humans are good at avoiding the imminent. Take death for example. We all know that our days are numbered and yet it’s as if we’ve forgotten that no one gets out of here alive. Could it be there is a reason for this?
The Bible tells us that we were made for eternity.
“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
Like the crack in the sidewalk, we all have a God-created space in our hearts.
And also like the crack in the sidewalk, people often hop over it without even giving thought to why it is there.
Eternity substantiates immanence beyond that of what scientists say about the San Andreas Fault and yet many continue skipping over the gaping hole in the sidewalk directly in front of them.
The past few weeks in our nation and world have once again pushed the brevity of life to our consciousness. It’s like people have been sleepwalking through life until something jolts them out of complacency. Hurricanes, earthquakes, and the shooting in Las Vegas made many consider the preciousness and vulnerability of life. We have seen more unity, caring for the needs of others, and heroism than in a long time.
God uses what the enemy intended for evil for His good and to point us to His grace and love.
The current events while tragic, have illuminated the eyes of hearts to a greater awareness of our spirituality and purpose.
Shouldn’t we be aware of the needs of others around us without the occurrence of an all-out tragedy?
There are plenty of people in desperate situations on any given day. Someone is fighting cancer, another a divorce, and someone’s addiction has landed them on the street.
Christians, every day is an opportunity to live alert and ready to show God’s love to others who might suddenly become aware of the crack in their sidewalk. Let’s not skip over them as if they aren’t there.
Who can you share the hope of Christ with today?
What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments below.
Beckie — wonderful analogy– as Christians we can’t skip over the cracks – there are many hurting people and we can show God’s love to them — only the Lord can cement the cracks but we must first notice them. Love it.
Del
Del, may we stay alert and ready to show God’s love to those He brings in our lives. Now more than ever, people are desperate for the authenticity and real love.
May we live aware and awake, not skipping over the cracks, but seeking to know how we can repair them with God’s love. Great post, Beckie!
Blessings!
Amen, Martha! Walking closely with Jesus ourselves is the only way we can remain aware of and equipt to show others His love.
God bless you, sweet friend!
“Shouldn’t we be aware of the needs of others around us without the occurrence of an all-out tragedy?” This is absolutely true, Beckie! Why wait until tragedy hits before we exemplify who God has designed for us to be and do. SMH. Yes, we have got to do better. Those who know better, Do better. Thanks for sharing this eye-opening reminder, my friend!
Thanks, Shira!
Excellent post and such a great analogy, Beckie. Living in denial (of eternity and judgment day) does seem to be a human default setting. Being thankful every day for our salvation is the key to overcoming this “default setting.”
I hope you and yours are well.
Bill, like you, I’m so thankful for the power of Christ Jesus living in me to overcome. It’s too exciting not to share! Thanks for your kind words.
You and Mary are in my prayers.
May the Lord keep using your gifts for His glory!
Wow, this is so beautiful and timely! Great post!
I think I said this on your last post, but again, I couldn’t agree more. It’s why I keep writing. I have many limitations… But, writing is something I have to work with. It makes me feel at least useful. A couple of times I can remember God using 2 Peter 1:5-8 to remind me that I wasn’t useless. Please pray that God will use what I have to offer. I’m really enjoying your encouraging posts by the way, and I will pray the same for you.
I used to live on that fault–I can relate to this metaphor. Yes, it shouldn’t take a tragedy to wake us up. “Life is short; I want to live it well”!
Thanks, Heather! God bless you and yours.
Another good job, Beckie. I love the transition from a commonplace crack to a deeper awareness. A friend I’ve known for over 30 years had surgery last Thursday–nothing complicated, just a gallbladder removal, but it revealed a much worse problem and he was moved to hospice care afterward. The “big one” is definitely coming for each of us, and maybe paying a little more attention to the commonplace cracks will help us not be so blindsided by it. Love you and your work, Beckie–keep on keeping the Light shining.
Ron, I’m sorry to hear about your friend. Yes, as Christians, we must be alert and remain attached to the vine or we miss those cracks.
Thanks for the kind words!
Blessings to you and yours.
Very insightful. Thanks.
Carol, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. May the Lord bless you and yours!
I have thought about this recently too. Tragedy is a wake up call about how brief life is. Every day though we can live like that day matters. And people matter!
Katy, I agree. Relationships —starting with the one with our Father— should be our top priority.
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Blessings!