The Safety Plan

Danny Boggs lives in Neosho, Missouri, just a few miles from ground zero in Joplin where hundreds of lives have been impacted by a recent devastating tornado.  He recently reflected on the aftermath of the destruction and the need for a family safety plan in the event of a storm.

The nation's deadliest single tornado in sixty years humbles us and frustrates us. Even with up to 24 minutes of warning, even with a family plan for shelter from the storm, winds in excess of 200 miles per hour leave no safe place.

We cannot be totally prepared physically and materially for all the tragedies hurled at us by life on earth. We are not in control. We only pray, grieve with survivors and eagerly seek to help.

Unless Christ comes on the clouds first, death is surely coming our way (Heb. 9:27). Whether by accident, disease, natural disaster, or natural causes, this life will end.

I would love to be able to shield my family from every source of pain and suffering, but I'm thankful for God-given confidence that no matter what happens to us here, my family can be reunited as children of God in eternity.

There is another Plan that has been designed by God for our “eternal safety.”  The Plan was made possible through the death of Jesus, God’s Son, on the cross to pay the price for our condemning sins (Ephesians 1:7).  Through His atoning death and our acceptance of His offer of salvation, we receive the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23).

Boggs cites an example of a person who endured a “natural disaster” and soon learned of God’s Plan for eternal life and how to accept His offer:

An earthquake rocked a jailer's world (see Acts 16). He saw no reason to keep living. But as he fell down in trembling and fear, two Christians offered the answer to his desperate question, "Sirs, what must I DO to be saved?" [v. 30]. 

Believing in the Lord Jesus could save him and his household from infinitely more than an earthquake [v. 31].

He gathered everyone in his house to HEAR the word of the Lord [v. 32], THEN he penitently washed the wounds of the persecuted Christians and He and all his family were baptized at once [v. 33].

"And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God" (Acts 16:34).

Danny Boggs acknowledges that NONE of us can protect our families from everything that will come our way in this life.  But we CAN follow the Plan that God has given that will lead to eternal life in a place where there are no more storms, no pain, and no sorrow (Revelation 21:1-7).

Won’t YOU follow God’s eternal safety Plan?

** Several disaster relief agencies associated with the church of Christ are reaching out to the victims of recent storms including the Churches of Christ Disaster Response Team (www.churchesofchristdrt.org), Churches of Christ Disaster Assistance (www.disasterassistancecoc.com), and the Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort (www.disasterreliefeffort.org).  See the websites for ways to help.

David A. Sargent, Minister