Are You Prepared?

This is turning out to be quite the week in this part of the woods. We live in "upstate" New York, and are experiencing some pretty strange things. Earlier this week, we had an earthquake. Okay, it wasn't big, but I have lived here almost 20 years, and have never experienced one before. Apparently it was a shock from the one in Virginia. Now, we are bracing for Hurricane Irene. Can you believe it? A Hurricane in New York?

Well, having never experienced a hurricane before, I checked out the preparedness list on the Weather Channel. And I've determined that we are unlikely to be as prepared as they recommend. I can make sure we have batteries for the flashlights and water in the bathtub. I can get some non-perishable food. I doubt we will get the windows all boarded up, seeing as I don't think we have that much wood laying around. We don't have a generator, so we will expect to have water in our basement without the sump pump being able to pump it out. Some things may just have to be dealt with. Then, I remember seeing pictures of houses completely destroyed by hurricanes, so I wonder if we'll have anything left.

It's really easy to get into a panic when facing the unknown. I can worry about all of my stuff getting damaged. I can worry about someone getting hurt. In my mind's eye I can see us crouching down in the middle of the house, waiting for days until someone gets us out, or trying to cut a hole to the roof like people did during Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. But all of this worry is not going to change what will happen.

The truth is, no one knows what will happen. Our area is not used to hurricanes, and most people are being taken by surprise. Most of us will be under-prepared if it hits hard here. But are we ever really prepared? Do we ever really know what will happen tomorrow, or even today? Not really. There is always a possibility that something could happen to our stuff or our house, or even ourselves. We need to be prepared every day of our lives.

As a Christian, being prepared is not so much about boarding up your windows and putting water in your bathtub as it is about opening your heart and putting your life in God's hands. Remember that God is truly in control, and He has numbered your days. We don't really "own" anything here on Earth, but are storing up treasures in Heaven, and those treasures are based on the good that we do, not the goods that we have. I don't know what will happen tomorrow, but I believe that God will make sure we are taken care of, as He always has. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13.

The Messy Church

Is your church messy?  Ours is.  We attend the Sunday service in a building that's around 200 years old.  It is currently being repaired, but that's not what makes it messy.  We have a pot-luck once a month, but that's not the reason, either.  The little kids run around with chalk and lollipops, but they are not the cause.  In fact, considering all these things, the church is incredibly well-cleaned.  The floors are kept vacuumed, the bathrooms and kitchen are clean, and things are kept in their proper place.  It is really a beautiful building.

But I"m not talking about the building.  The building is where the church meets.  The church is made up of her people.  And her people are messy.

Now, I'm not saying that people come to church all covered in breakfast or anything (except maybe Lily, but we try to clean her up before we go!).  Everyone comes in the door in clean, neat clothes.  You wouldn't walk into our church on a Sunday morning and say it was messy.  It's nothing you would notice at first glance. In fact, you could attend for years and not notice it.  But it's there, under the surface.

Every once in a while, you get a glimpse.  At first, it's just a peek.  Then, little by little, it becomes clearer.  You start to notice the cracks in the facade.  Not like the cracks in the plaster, that make thinks look shabby. These cracks appear in the people.  A tear might creep out, or maybe a laugh.  A show of emotion.  A smile, where there is usually a frown, or a frown, where you expect to see a smile.  A stray word.  The cracks become larger.  The service goes a little long.  The order gets confused.  Someone comes forward.  Someone asks for prayer.  Someone gets prayed for even before they ask.  There is an unscheduled song, or an unscheduled silence.   Someone is honored.  Someone is let down.  Someone is sick.    Someone is healed.

The cracks widen.  Something starts to flow out.  The colors mix together, forming a huge, multicolored cloud.  It's a mess.  And it's beautiful.  The people pull themselves back together and leave the building.  They look the same on the outside, but inside, they are all the colors of the rainbow.