I just scanned an article about preppers. I only skimmed it because the headline caught my attention, but the topic wasn’t interesting enough to hold it. I’m somewhat intrigued by the concept, though. The headline read, “These preppers have ‘go bags,’ guns and a fear of global disaster.” I do try to keep an extra case or two of water on hand, along with a few cans of food. I also have a lantern and possibly some batteries—I should probably check. I have a hunting rifle… somewhere. That’s about it. Those are just in case we lose power for a few days. In reflection, I’m probably in trouble if it lasts more than two days. I’m certainly not opposed to being somewhat prepared for a crisis, even a global one. However, a follower of Jesus shouldn’t be consumed by it. Our future is in bigger hands than ours. I’m reminded of Jesus’ story about the man who built a larger barn because he had a great crop one year. He figured he was prepared for many years and could relax and enjoy life. But that very day, he dropped dead. In other words, there wasn’t much value in all he had stored up. That parable was mostly about greed. Preppers aren’t necessarily greedy—it’s more about trust. Is their trust in all the stuff they’ve stockpiled, or in reasonable preparedness balanced with a deeper trust in God? I don’t know. What I do know is this: as followers of God, we have the great assurance that He is our source of safety. We can trust in Him. If He leads you to prepare for a crisis, then prepare—but keep your focus on Him and the needs of others. Today, find your security and safety in your Heavenly Father—and know where your batteries are. #BeTheEdge
““Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24 NIV
