March 27, 2014 (Thursday )
One wonders how, in our age of technology, a passenger aircraft can be lost. We have a worldwide network of communications, radar, sonar, satellites, space station, and virtually all the land areas of the world have now been photographed and photos of them can be viewed on our computers in our homes. Yet a plane has disappeared, and, although clues may have been found to a general location of its crash into the ocean, what happened to it and its 239 occupants is still unknown after 19 days. The leader of Malaysia announced that the plane definitely crashed into the ocean and all lives were lost, but China demands more evidence to back up that claim. How could this confusion exist?
Our hearts go out to the families of those on board the plane. In addition to their apparent loss and their painful grief, they have no certain knowledge of what has happened.
Assurances have been given to the public that flying is the safest way to travel, and additional assurances have come with the knowledge that the type of aircraft involved has an outstanding record of safety. Yet something has happened, and we now have at least one more incident to make us all feel less safe in what was already an unsafe world.
So, how shall we live? In fear, cowering out of sight, avoiding any situation that may be remotely dangerous? No, a thousand times, no! We must live our lives. We can trust the Lord and believe with our whole heart that He is our divine Shepherd who cares about each of us and loves us greatly. Bad things happen every day. God gives us strength and courage to face them. Let us stand straight and tall, as children of God by faith, and let us never even think of abandoning our high hopes.