Friday, August 17, 2007

Finding God in the Tight Spots


My heart has ached since last week, when I heard the news about the Utah miners who were trapped after the cave-in. It's been 11 days since the incident, and still they have not been able to get to them, or to even find out if anyone is still alive. Further, I heard this morning on the radio that three people have died in the rescue effort after a subsequent cave-in. They're now talking about suspending the rescue effort altogether.

If it makes you wonder "Where's God?" in all of this, I assure you that you are not alone. I cannot even imagine what these families are thinking, and the questions they are asking. And, while I'm not really sure WHAT God is up to, or WHY He allows a tragedy like this to happen, I do know He is near.

I have no idea what kind of relationship each of the six miners has with Jesus Christ. In all likelihood, some are Christ-followers and some are not. But, I cannot help but think that even those who went down into the mine shaft not knowing God may very well have met their Creator in the hours or days following the cave-in.

You see, even though God is omni-present, we typically only "find" him when tragedy and troubles come our way. And, because God is gracious and loves us unconditionally, He's there for us - even though we may have never known Him (or acted like we didn't know Him) when times were "good."
Unfortunately, many times God can only get our attention when the rug is pulled out from under us. This is NOT the way God would prefer it. But, as a loving father, he will come up with the most effective way to get our attention - and ultimately get His message across. And, He enjoys nothing more than taking the darkness the enemy hurls our way and creating light!

Join me today in praying for the miners and all the families affected by this tragic event. And, while you're at it, ask God to reveal Himself to you today - whether life is a bed of roses, or whether it's the pits. Either way, He's ready - and eager - to walk closely with you this very moment.

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