What just happened?

Life has a way of jumping up and biting you in the backside. About six months ago now I was driving along, fat, dumb and happy and a hit and run driver crashed into the rear end of my nearly brand-new car and off he went. It looks like I’ll pick up my repaired car very soon, maybe even today. Through a fluke of timing I was not insured when the accident occurred and I am relying on the generosity of a friend to get the repair done.
I went by the shop yesterday and everything looks beautiful. Only a few details to complete and I will have my car back, good as new. Things will be back to “normal” soon.
A few weeks ago a friend of mine had a flu shot. It wasn’t long anwas he was feeling short of breath and weak. She got sicker and sicker. Ultimately she saw the doctor and he called 911 and she was taken by ambulance to the hospital where good doctors discovered that she had a rare reaction to the flu shot that nearly killed her. One heart procedure and days in the intensive care unit later she is back on the mend from a debilitating disease.
Wednesday night my ex-wife was driving her car and it rolled ejecting her from the vehicle. Overnight it was touch and go because of the inability to control bleeding. Apparently she is writing notes in her intensive care bed and is improving by the hour. They are hopeful that the breathing tube will be removed soon.
In each of these instances, one more jarring and terrifying than the other, the normal patterns of life were disrupted by violent change. We normally live in a state of “security.” We expect that today will be a lot like yesterday. We are not usually anticipating accidents, illness or “natural” catastrophe. Most of us enjoy the stability of our lives and don’t like the uncertainty that arises when forces way beyond our control take over.
And yet, this is the true state of our lives, that things are constantly changing. It’s easy to get confused, even lost in the midst of shocking change. What can we hold on to from the bed in intensive care with tubes and monitors and pain? I’m reminded of a phrase from a favorite hymn, “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.” Faith can provide a solid base for any situation. It seems that especially in times of crisis, the strength of our faith is tested.
My prayer today for those who are hurting is, May your faith rise up within you and may the peace and comfort of Christ be with you. Amen.