Following the tragic tornado damage in Moore, OK and other areas of the plains over the last few days, many in our region have been reminded of the tornadoes that came through Smithville, MS, Tuscaloosa, AL, and other areas of the region two years ago. It is a forceful reminder of the fragility of life and the need for focus on eternal things. Therefore, today’s article centers upon three distinct thoughts that have come to my mind frequently in the last 24 hours.

1. We have no guarantees on the length of our lives. “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” (Jam. 4:13-14)

2. Do not place your trust in the physical things of this world. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Mat. 6:19-21)

3. As much as some people believe it to be so, God did not bring this destruction as judgment upon these people, nor did he “take” those who died away from us because it was “their time.” God allows nature to work, and sometimes the actions of nature affect us in horrific ways. Consider two passages of Scripture that bear this out: “There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-5); “And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” (John 9:2-3).

Pray for those who are having to endure this tragedy, help them if you can; and in all things give glory to God for his love, concern, and care in all times of life (both good and bad).