If you look at a map of the earth that shows the tectonic
plates, you will see that Colombia is situated on the edge of the South
American plate. I’m not certain many of you know the significance of this, so I'll just tell you: Colombia gets a lot of earthquakes.
Sunday during the middle of the church sermon the earth
began to shake. I mean, there was an earthquake; like a real earthquake. For those of you who
live someplace where there are tremors, this may not be a big deal. But us
Michiganders don’t exactly experience earthquakes often…or ever. My response? I was just grinning because it’s
kind of fun. Other people? They were afraid; like I mean, overtaken by fear.
Some people jumped up and sprinted for the door. The lady next to me, for
example, grabbed her things (papers went flying) and she was G.O.N.E. A paper
for her prescription still on her chair and everything.
The pastor’s response was awesome. He just said, “Let’s pray”
and away he went! People started standing, others were raising their hands, and
we just prayed. I could sense the fear in the room being released to the one
who is in control. This went on for a minute or so and then the earth was
still. It was so awesome to just turn to God, ask for his protection then watch Him
calm the Earth. Man, is my God powerful. Then, within 20 seconds the pastor picked up
the sermon again and started preaching. I was distracted by what I just
experienced. It was just so cool.
Matthew 8:26-27 “He replied, ‘You of little faith, why are
you so afraid?’ Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was
completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, ‘What kind of man is this? Even
the winds and the waves obey him!’” ….and
the earth when it’s quaking.
So, earthquakes are an interesting monster for me. My
reaction is the dumb-founded, tilt your head, and smile because I’m shaking.
The rest of the city? Oh, their consumed with fear and stampede out of
buildings. It’s weird because I don’t
have a schema in my brain entitled, “What to do in an earthquake.” I mean, I’ve
got things like “What to do when you do a 360 on the highway after hitting
black ice” or “what to do when you see a bear in the woods” or “what to do when
if a creepy man walks up to me.” All of these situations invoke proper fear and
a reasonable fight or flight response. But come on, there are no earthquakes in
Michigan. I’ve got nothing. No response. I’m working on it though. Here is what
I’ve been told to do if caught in an earthquake: Make the “triangle of life”.
Basically crouch next to a solid object and wait for the tremor to pass?
Now I just need to practice. I set an alarm on my phone to
go off randomly so I can get the full effect. When the alarm goes off I’m
supposed to react like there is an earthquake. Okay, just kidding – I haven’t
set that up, but it might be a good idea? Naw…I'll just work through it in my mind a few times!
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