In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

— Genesis 1:1

Do you have a “Plan B” in place in case something goes wrong or are you merely living in the moment? Recent world events prove that disaster takes place with little or no warning and even our latest technology can’t change the outcome. Even with the best planning, the end result may result in loss of possessions or lives.

Just this year we saw earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, and China. There was massive flooding in parts of the United States after snow storms crippled a large portion of the nation. The most recent disaster is the result of a volcano in Iceland, a remote part of our world. Who could predict the closing of some of the largest airports in the world based on events hundreds of miles away?

Who are we to say we have the answers to these calamities and who are we to predict the future? In Job 38:4-6 (NLT), the Lord challenges Job with these questions:

“Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? ... Who determined its dimensions…? What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone?”

Job didn’t have the answer to these questions. Only the Lord knew because he was there and created everything and everyone.

During a recent daily Bible study, I read Psalm 135:6, which states, “Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” The remainder of the chapter describes how the Lord causes lightning, rain, and wind as well as how he killed the firstborn in Egypt, killed mighty kings, and even destroyed nations.

As I pondered these words I wondered if there were any similarities with the disasters from this year. Would God allow these events to occur? I am not sure, but I will definitely give it more thought.

I firmly believe God is trying to get our attention. In Matthew 24, Jesus warns that in the end days there will be wars, rumors of wars, famines, pestilences, and earthquakes. In addition Jesus predicted false prophets, but at the same time said the Gospel would reach the ends of the earth.

Many of those predictions are already true, but who are we to say the end of the world is here? In verse 36 of the same chapter, Jesus told his disciples: “But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”

Is the end near? Only God knows the answer to that question.

When disaster strikes, it is always good to have a “Plan B” to provide enough food, water, and other resources to get by, but there is something more lasting. Isaiah 40:29 tells us, “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”

When “Plan A” fails and “Plan B” isn’t enough, we can always plug into the strength of the Lord who created everything and never fails.

Debra Whittington is a longtime resident of Tucumcari. Contact her at: dawhittington@msn.com