After the Flames

As wildfires rage in California, many concerned homeowners anxiously await news concerning the status of their homes. 

Rich Matthews of the Associated Press interviewed one of the families – the Gossett family – that had evacuated their home earlier this week.  Matthews found the Gossetts trying to convince a police officer to go into their restricted neighborhood to check on the status of their home. “We’ve been told that our home is totally destroyed, and we’ve been told by other people that it may only be damaged.  So, we’re just waiting for the police to inspect it, and come back and tell us exactly the condition,” Joe Gossett explained to Matthews.

Matthews and his television crew were allowed to enter the neighborhood and 
found the Gossett’s home, unfortunately burned to the ground.  As he stood in the charred remains, Matthews made the following statement for a television audience:  

“In times of tragedy people often say not knowing is the hardest part, but this is a case where knowing may be even harder.”

Matthews reported that where the Gossett’s home had stood, there was “almost nothing even recognizable except for a flag pin from Joe’s putting green.” Matthews concluded his segment saying: “Their story is one that will be repeated thousands of times over the next few days: homeowners filled with wonder and hope about their homes, arriving in their driveways only to be disappointed.”

Amid the shock and sorrow of those who have found their homes burned to the ground, there have also been expressions of joy and relief by those who have found their homes left intact.

The Bible teaches that one day, the world and everything in it will be destroyed by fire: “The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which 
the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10).  

That day will be a day of anguish for many, for it will be not only the end of the world, but also the end of their opportunities to make their lives right with God (2 Peter 3:9).  But for those who have made preparations and are “looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:10), it will be the time when Jesus will come to take them to their eternal home – 
a home that cannot be touched by flames, that will last for an eternity (John 14:1-6; 
1 Peter 1:3-4).

The way to that eternal, heavenly home is Jesus, the Son of God (John 14:6).  Jesus paid the price so that each of us might enjoy that eternal home by dying on the cross for our sins (Ephesians 1:7).  If we will believe in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sin in repentance (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), be baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38), and follow Him faithfully, then by His grace we can dwell in heaven with Him for eternity.

After the flames have died down, will YOU have that eternal home waiting for you?  You may – IF you will trust and obey Jesus!

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

* Rich Matthews. “After the Flames.”  Associated Press, released by ABC News

To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:

                      HTML version:  subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net
                   TEXT version:  subscribe-livingwater-text@lyris.dundee.net

Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchzip.com

Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org