Chickens and Well Water

"How are the chickens and which way is the well water running?" I asked the field superintendent when he came back from coffee at the hardware store.  The town had recently experienced an earthquake that destroyed most of the downtown. 

The members of the coffee group had developed a theory to predict earthquakes.  They concluded there were three predecessors to quakes: the chickens demonstrated agitated behavior, the water in a particular well swirled in a different direction and women were irritable.  Their theory definitely irritated me!

The coffee group never predicted an earthquake.  There were thousands of earthquakes in that town and I never knew when they were coming until I heard the rumble.  So I stayed ready. 

·         My shoes were next to my bed every night to protect my feet from broken glass as I ran for the doorway.(Thirty-plus years later  I keep my shoes handy at night.)

·         We stored water. (We didn't have drinking water on tap after the earthquake contaminated the city water plant.)

·         When I  heard a rumble I ran for the doorway (which is allegedly the safest place during an earthquake, if you can get there while the earth under your feet!) Sometimes I still do! I am known to flinch at loud noises and glance for a doorway.

In Mark 13 Jesus leaves us with advise for handling future events.

Don't be overly impressed. He reminds us not to put our faith in grandiose architecture. (I know that since I saw a whole downtown turn to a pile of rubble in a matter of seconds.)  Jesus also reminds us not to be impressed by labels--many will claim to be The One.

Don't be alarmed.  There will be wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines. These are the signs of the beginning.

Don't worry about what to say.  When we are challenged because of our faith the Holy Spirit will give us  the words.

Be ready. When Evil is standing where it doesn't belong, run.  Don't stop for anything just run away from evil.

Be assured.  God is in control.  It could be worse but because of His love for His people He will shortened the process.  Jesus has told us what we really need to know ahead of time. (Mark 13:23)

So in this world of trying headlines rely on this:  Jesus is coming for us.

When I watch current events unfold (and I am a bit of a news junkie in a crisis) I also think "Come quickly Lord Jesus".  It feels like the beginning of the end, scary but exciting.

It's not our job to calculate the day and time or help it come slower or quicker.  No one knows. Numerous times in  Mark 13, Jesus tells  us how to deal with the future: be alert, watch and guard.  I'm storing up Living Water to sustain me through the chaos of this current world and I  am ready to run to The Door (Jesus) for His protection.

After the earthquake, the believers in Coalinga,   California erected a billboard proclaiming "Jesus is Lord of Coalinga". That's what we really need to know:  Jesus is Lord!