There's No Such Thing as Luck<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Jan Markell
www.olivetreeviews.org 
 
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Minneapolis and St. Paul are known as the Twin Cities. Only the Mississippi river comes between us, and right now, there are a lot of cars at the bottom of that river.  There are people down there as well.  My hometown is shaken and will have a gaping hole for at least two years.  If you are in cities that have had tragedies, you know the sickening feeling.  However, all tragedies have another side to them which I will talk about briefly.
 
First, thanks to so many of you from literally around the world who wrote asking about the safety of all involved with this ministry.  One of my assistants was usually on the crushed bridge about the time it fell; however, she was delayed at the office trying to fix a computer virus. Was this an accident or an act of God?  I think you know. Her husband is with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, working back-breaking hours, so pray for Todd.
 
Here are just a few thoughts over the last few days.
 
*  Just like with 9/11, what happened in the Twin Cities could have been a stunning disaster as to loss of life. The final count as to deaths is so far less than anticipated it's legit to call it a miracle.  Where have we heard that before?  The jihadists planned on killing 200,000 Americans or more on 9/11.  God intervenes very often whether a city or nation deserve it or not.
 
*  There was a bus filled with fifty children. There were three almost-certain destinations for the bus: (1) The River; (2) Crashing into a burning truck; (3) Trapping and crushing all children inside.  What happened? None of the above. The bus stopped short by only a few feet from going off the edge of the bridge.
 
*  With that story and many others I have grown weary and almost sickened by the constant use of the word "luck." I have also grown tired of pundits of all persuasions pontificating endlessly yet saying nothing. I don't care to hear any more politicians ranting, George W. Bush being blamed, psychologists babbling, and spiritually-dead clergy offering no spiritual substance.  Not one public person I have heard (and I could have missed it) gave any glory to God for making this less of a disaster than it already is.  It wasn't "the great people of Minnesota" that made this less tragic.  It was God's grace.
 
*  I have to ask why a tragedy has to happen before action is taken on issues that should have been obvious. Perhaps this is the condition of fallen man but planning for terror attacks ahead of time and being cautious of infrastructure problems shouldn't require a disaster to wake us up.  We should plan ahead.
 
*  Courageous people did step in including the first responders.  But let's save our greatest praise for the One who deeply cares about people and families. Tragedy is a part of the human condition. We are seeing floods, fires, heat, and more around the world. Some caught in the midst are not so fortunate.
 
*  You and I never know when we could be on a bridge that crumbles like this or be in a building targeted by a 747. Life is uncertain at best.  Eternity is a certainty.  It is important we know where we will spend it because life can be snuffed out in a nanosecond. 
 
Is Jesus Christ the Lord and Savior of your life?  Eternity is a long time.  You need to spend it in the right place.
 
"I will praise You forever for what You have done; in Your Name I will hope, for Your Name is good. I will praise You in the presence of Your saints" (Psalm 52:9).