In the book of Proverbs, chapter 30, the writer lists four things that are never satisfied: “the grave, the barren womb, land, which is never satisfied with water, and fire, which never says, “Enough!”
No kidding.
Hopefully by the time you read this, things will have improved. But as I write this (May 4th), the entire province of Alberta has declared an emergency. Wildfires still blazing beyond control have caused the mandatory evacuation of over 80,000 people in the northern city of Fort McMurray, demolishing (at this point) over 1600 homes and businesses. At least one gas station and a tanker truck have exploded, aggravating both the situation and the danger level.
So far, no injuries have been reported. But on congested roads leading out of town, fleeing residents, some of who were given mere minutes to get out, describe in broken voices the horror of seeing their city ablaze, their homes and workplaces under siege by a raging monster that knows only insatiable hunger. They used phrases like these:
“I’ve lost all my personal property, all my memories.” “It looked like the apocalypse.” “I never even got the chance to go home to see what I could grab.” “We are in Hell.” “It’s gone. It’s all gone.” “I’m not sure if there’s going to be anything to go home to.”
Heartbreaking. But the worst of times like this catastrophic disaster, bring out the best of people. Already reports are surfacing of good Samaritans; people with compassion and kind hearts who have reached past their own interests and dug deeply into their own resources to assist people affected. “It makes my heart sing, to see how giving people are…” said one resident. “I have no words to describe… the generous help,” said another.
As Canadians, and even our Queen, respond with prayers, acts and words of kindness, many are already looking past the fire to the days ahead. Provincial politician Brian Jean, who lost his home of over half a century in the fire, looked ahead to the days of rebuilding. Regarding his own losses, he said, “It’s just stuff. We can rebuild.”
At noon today I met with several other businesswomen for our weekly Bible study. We talked about Fort Mac. More important, we prayed for the city and all those affected, feeling both relieved and slightly guilty that at the end of our work days, God willing, we’ll arrive at our homes to find them cool and comfortable, our families and pets safe, our possessions intact. These blessings we have done nothing to deserve, just as Fort Mac did nothing to deserve its catastrophe.
We also prayed that, as catastrophes tend to do, this fire will usher the love of God into hearts and lives where he was previously unwelcome. Loss of “stuff”, as Mr. Jean described it, brings a gaping awareness our need for something that cannot be taken from us – and only God’s love fills that gap.
Fort Mac, may God rescue, comfort and provide in the days ahead.
