When the ground is shaking

The other day I had the opportunity to take my dog, Frisky, to the hospital to visit a member of my church and provide a little canine therapy.  Now going into a public place was nothing new for him and he surely enjoyed the opportunity to see (and lick) new faces.  But the part that he did not find so interesting was the elevator ride to get there.  When we first came into the hospital he entered the elevator without any difficulty perhaps thinking it was just another room.  Little did he know that there would be a slight motion in the floor once the doors closed.  As soon as the elevator went into motion he got a bit nervous.  When it stopped at the next floor where another passenger needed to get off he got even more frightened.  Then again it happened.  Finally when the elevator stopped at our destination he was ready to get out.  What was that crazy room where the floor was constantly moving?  He had no desire to stick around and find out.

After a while there on the rehab floor I came to the realization that he need to go out to do his business.  So over to the elevator we went but this time getting in was not so easy.  He hesitated remembering what an unstable room that was behind those metal doors.  Once inside more of the same.  And again on the way back up after his pit stop outside.  By this time he was sure he didn't like what went on in there.  So we went on with our visit.

So with our visit now ending we had to make one final trip down to the main floor.  This time there was no way he wanted to get it.  I called and begged, pushed and pulled but he was not getting on.  After a few moments of reassurance from me and a bit of pushing as well I finally got him on.  This time he was really nervous.  His claws were clinched and scratching at the linoleum floor.  His legs were shaking like I have never seen them tremble before.  And the look in his eyes was of complete and total fear.  So I knelt on the floor, put my arms around him and whispered "Frisky, it's o.k. Buddy.  It's o.k."  And even though the floor still did it's moving thing he began to relax.  Perhaps not completely but he felt a lot better.  The sound of my voice and the embrace of my arms were enough for him to know that everything would be alright, even though the ground under his feet was unsteady and in sporadic motion.

Now it seems to me that life can be a lot like Frisky's elevator ride.  What seems to be an innocuous situation turns out to be unstable and frightening.  And much to our chagrin we find we have to go through it more than once.  So what does it take to get through these earth-shaking moments in our lives? Only the presence and reassurance of our Master can bring us calm.  Only the promise of His Word that everything will be alright and the touch of His presence can get us through.

Isaiah 43:2 says,
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you."

Always remember that God is with you wherever you go.  No matter how bad it gets or how much the earth is moving beneath you God will see you through.  Know that He will guide you and protect you even through repeated trials and tribulations.

-Pastor Dean