Tragedy in the Dominican Republic
More than 200 people have died and many more are injured after the roof of a packed nightclub collapsed during a concert in the Dominican Republic. Victims included several public figures, and authorities said it would be some time before an investigation would be able to determine a cause for the collapse. Local hospitals and health care providers continue to assist the many who are injured, including those still fighting for life.
Analysis and eternal perspective: Life on Earth is but a vapor (Jam. 4:14). It is a truth we have discussed before, but a story like this brings it into sharp focus. Your time and mine in these temporary bodies of flesh seems ample in one moment but can be gone in the next. This is a very disconcerting reality if you put too much emphasis and faith in the happenings of this world. You will be in a constantly uneasy place if your security is found in material things, or even in the breath that is in your lungs.
But take heart! While this truth is disconcerting if your faith is in the here and now, it is incredibly liberating if you live from the confidence of knowing that nothing in this present world can touch your promised eternity because of God’s great love for you (Rom. 8:38-39)! That reality should cause your confidence to soar as you live with a constant aim toward an eternal impact!
It should also inform the way you grieve with and pray for those impacted by this tragedy. Most of us do not personally know any of those involved, but we should stand in the gap for them by praying God’s comfort over them. For those who are injured, we should pray for physical recovery but also that this would be an opportunity to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
Life on Earth is short. Eternity is forever. Invest in eternity.
The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.