Earthquake

Saba experienced an earthquake today.

When I opened Facebook this afternoon, I scrolled through the newsfeed and read status after status as to where friends had been, what they had felt, and their concerns of their neighboring island friends.

It feels odd to say so, but even in events like this, I long to be there.

As I went about my evening motherly activities, my mind swirled with thoughts of earthquakes. Ones like the 5.5 that shook the Unspoiled Queen today. I thought of the quakes that are strong enough to result in the destruction and terror of a tsunami. My memory brought about news stories of earthquakes in California when I was child. I can still see the television screen display a freeway completely cracked in half, swallowing up cars.

These acts of nature shake communities, islands, and cultures to their very core.

There are some folks in my life that are experiencing their own personal earthquakes tonight.  Some stronger than others.

A sweet, joyous young lady that I had a privilege of serving with on Saba last month was shaken Thursday by the news of her mother's passing.  She was the only one of three siblings home here in middle Tennessee. One sister was abroad in mission work.  I can't imagine this pain.

I have been following a friend's journey the last few days on social media. A gentle, good and humble soul...a mother of two beautiful children...a wife to a funny, energetic man of God...a kindergarten teacher. She has beaten cancer, and now she is staring in it's nasty face again. I pray for her healing.

There is a sweet young girl that is very special to me. Teenagers have enough to deal with...pressures to conform, the need to fit in somewhere, rumors and gossip, growing up. All this is drenched with the stench of addiction of a loved one in this beautiful girl's life. When I think of her story I hurt.

Other friends come to my mind. A family  away from home in a new country immersed in a new culture, following the Father's call.  Family friends back in Carthage who are mourning the passing of a great Christian matriarch.  Multiple friends in marriages that are struggling.  A young man who I love dearly, just trying to find his place in the world.

We all have our earthquakes. We all can be, have been, will be shaken.

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." - I Peter 4:12

The question is, "What are we going to do in the midst of the tremors and quakes?"

"Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." -James 1:2-6

The ones I spoke of above have been wonderful examples of this passage. In the loss of her mother, my friend wrote, "I am so broken, yet so happy to tell the world that my sweet sweet mama went to be with Jesus yesterday morning. We aren't quite sure what happened, but we do know that The Lord is good and His plans are perfect." My friend battling cancer continues to praise God daily. Her trust in Him is evident.  My young teenage friend talks of praying daily for her faith to increase and asks for strength in surrendering all to Him.

Sometimes I have asked how in the midst of horrible, hard, and challenging times can we actually have joy. Last night, I had a chance to hear an amazing young lady speak to a small group of fellow believers. She urged us to not ask "Why?", but ask ourselves, "Where is God in this?".

"When the righteous cry for help, The Lord hears and delivers them out of their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:17-18

He is near. We are not alone.

I couldn't help but let my mind go to the cross on this Easter weekend, as I have been typing.  Our Lord cried out and breathed his last. The son of God had been crucified. The temple curtain tore, the sky became dark, and...the earth shook.  Every inch of creation...all of humanity...every believer and non-believer...all of it was shaken.  Where was God in all this?

He was alive! He rose!

That is the only place we can find the joy in our trials of which James speaks. We can believe the Psalmist when he writes that God is near. He isn't dead, He is very much alive.