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After
the Flames
As
wildfires rage in California, many concerned
homeowners anxiously await news concerning the status
of their homes.
Rich
Matthews of the Associated
Press interviewed one of the families – the
Gossett family – that had evacuated their home
earlier this week.
Matthews found the Gossetts trying to convince
a police officer to go into their restricted
neighborhood to check on the status of their home. “We’ve
been told that our home is totally destroyed, and
we’ve been told by other people that it may
only be damaged.
So, we’re just waiting for the police to
inspect it, and come back and tell us exactly the
condition,” Joe Gossett explained to Matthews.
Matthews
and his television crew were allowed to enter the
neighborhood and
found the Gossett’s home, unfortunately burned to
the ground. As
he stood in the charred remains, Matthews made the
following statement for a television audience:
“In times of tragedy people often say not knowing
is the hardest part, but this is a case where knowing
may be even harder.”
Matthews
reported that where the Gossett’s home had stood,
there was “almost nothing even recognizable except
for a flag pin from Joe’s putting green.”
Matthews
concluded his segment saying: “Their story is one
that will be repeated thousands of times over the next
few days: homeowners filled with wonder and hope about
their homes, arriving in their driveways only to be
disappointed.”
Amid
the shock and sorrow of those who have found their
homes burned to the ground, there have also been
expressions of joy and relief by those who have found
their homes left intact.
The
Bible teaches that one day, the world and everything
in it will be destroyed by fire: “The day of the
Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which
the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the
elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth
and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2
Peter 3:10).
That
day will be a day of anguish for many, for it will be
not only the end of the world, but also the end of
their opportunities to make their lives right with God
(2 Peter 3:9). But
for those who have made preparations and are
“looking forward to the city with foundations, whose
architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10), it
will be the time when Jesus will come to take them to
their eternal home –
a home that cannot be touched by flames, that will
last for an eternity (John 14:1-6;
1 Peter 1:3-4).
The
way to that eternal, heavenly home is Jesus, the Son
of God (John 14:6).
Jesus paid the price so that each of us might
enjoy that eternal home by dying on the cross for our
sins (Ephesians 1:7).
If we will believe
in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sin in repentance
(2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confess
Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), be baptized
(immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of our sins
(Acts 2:38), and follow Him faithfully, then by His
grace we can dwell in heaven with Him for eternity.
After
the flames have died down, will YOU
have that eternal home waiting for you?
You may – IF you will trust and obey Jesus!
David
A. Sargent,
Minister
Church
of Christ at Creekwood
1901
Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama 36695
*
Rich Matthews. “After the Flames.”
Associated
Press, released by ABC News
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