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EMERGENCY ALERT: Ballistic Missile Threat Inbound To Hawaii
You are probably aware of this event. It occurred our first morning on Maui. Residents and tourist alike wondered, “What do I do? Where do I go?” The alert came similar to a weather warning, texted to cell phones, except it didn’t speak of snow or icy roads…it’s message spoke of pending doom. It was brought to my attention by startled neighbors. What would you have thought? What emotions would have invaded your peace? Nuclear war? This is not a drill??? There was panic, evacuations, soccer games ended abruptly with parents and kids racing to their cars. A father said goodbye to his kids and had a heart attack. Consider for a moment… how would you have reacted? What would you have done???
I’m not especially brave, but oddly I did not share their fear. Soon, we discovered this alert was a mistake, but it brought deep reflective thoughts to mind. I turned to a poem that I’ve held close for years. It’s taped to a page inside my bible.
Afraid?
Afraid? Of what?
To feel the spirit’s glad release?
To pass from pain to perfect peace?
The strife and strain of life to cease?
Afraid? Of what?
Afraid to see the Saviour’s face.
To hear His welcome, and to trace,
The glory gleam from wounds of grace.
Afraid? Of that?
Afraid? Of what?
A flash – a crash – a pierced heart;
Brief darkness – Light – O heaven’s art!
A wound of His a counterpart!
Afraid? Of that?
Afraid? Of what?
To enter into Heaven’s rest.
And yet to serve the Master blessed?
From service good to service best?
Afraid? Of that?
Afraid? Of what?
To do by death what life could not –
Baptize with blood a stony plot.
Till souls shall blossom from the spot?
Afraid of that?
- E. H. Hamilton
It is most human to fear death. The couple, who brought the startling news to me that day, were in true fear. I’m not sure why I didn’t share their dread. Well, that’s only partially true. I fear the end of life. It’s natural. As Christians though, we live our life in preparation for eternity…. yet in fear of passing into it’s realm!
Faithful obedient servants of God, we are secure, safe in our destiny. God has promised, and He is faithful to His promises!
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” – Romans 8:31-35
As have I, you have probably known Christians in the past who faced the end of life with courage, confidence. Several come easily to my mind. In the third chapter of Daniel, three Hebrew lads faced death with confidence: “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…But if not, let it be known…that we do not serve your gods,”
The apostle Paul said to the young preacher, Timothy: "For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Our goal should be to reach that level of confidence! Life is not the end!!!
Danny Pickett
