In Case of an Emergency
One activity that my wife and I enjoy is going to the movies. However, we cannot agree on what to watch at the movie theater. When I was kid the theater only had one or two movies to choose from, but now, there seems to be as many movies showing at the theater as there are on television. When we do decide to go, we have to compromise. My wife wants to see something serious, and I want to see something funny. Neither of us want to watch or listen to something that is in bad taste or profane. I hope she will agree to watch the new movie coming out entitled, “The Stooges.” I believe this movie will appeal to my wife because it is about three men with a mission, and it will appeal to me because I have a feeling it is going to be funny.
I have noticed that before the movie starts a public announcement appears on the screen that says, “In Case of Emergency WALK to the nearest Exit.” I looked up emergency in Webster’s Dictionary and it is defined emergency as “a sudden and unexpected situation requiring prompt action.” I don’t know about you, but if I’m in an emergency situation I am not going to be found strolling around to get away from an impending disaster. I realize the reason behind telling us to walk in case of emergency is not to cause panic in the crowd, but if you can’t panic in an emergency, when can you panic?
This same principle is true when you fly on a plane. Before the plane taxies down the runway, the flight attendants on board show you what to do in case of emergency. They show you which door to exit, and tell you where the floating devices are located in case of an “emergency.” I think all of these explanations is a decoy to get my mind off the real “emergency” - crashing! I know how to float in water, thank you very much. I have been floating in water since I could take a bath by myself. What I am interested in is how to survive the “crash and burn” emergency. I want to know where the fire extinguisher is located, and how much of the plane is fire resistant!
The biggest variable about an emergency is that it may not happen. There is a possibility that it may happen, and there is a possibility that it may not happen. There is an element of chance in the mix. Let’s sum up the qualities of an emergency: “sudden, unexpected, possible but not probable, and requiring prompt action.” I want you to think about this Scripture for a moment. Philippians 2:9-11 says, “Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, and those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Would you consider this an “emergency situation?” I would not, and I will tell you why. In an emergency situation there is the possibility that what you are preparing for may not happen. This Scripture tells us about something that is going to happen, the probability is 100%. Are you prepared for this event in your life? If so, how are you prepared for it? How do you live your life in regard to this event?
Most of us “play the odds” of life. By this I mean we see sickness around us and tell ourselves that it will not happen to us. We see tragedy strike other families and hope that it doesn’t strike our families. We hear of companies laying-off thousands of employees across the nation and pray we do not see it in our businesses. Chances are they will not, but it is possible. What God’s Word reveals to us about Jesus Christ is not chance, it is not just a probability or possibility. It is reality. God has granted you the time and ability to be prepared for this event in your life, make the most of it! Remember, don’t give in to sin. Think about it.