In the blink of an eye.  Our lives can change so drastically in the blink of an eye.  It is so hard to conceive how the littlest of decisions can have life long, if not eternal implications.  Just a few weeks ago, as many of you know, there was a massive head-on collision in front of the church.  Usually when we think of wrecks of this magnitude, we assume that alcohol or cell phones were the cause.  When I heard the collision while I was sitting at my desk, I went out to investigate.  What I saw shocked me.  I thought that there is no way a person could survive such a horrible wreck.  When all was said and done, there was no alcohol - or any other drug involved.

The cell phones were not in use and no texts were being sent.  One of the drivers decided to get a cup of coffee at Starbuck's and for a brief moment didn't pay attention to where she was going.  In the blink of an eye, both families' lives have changed.  It is now up to these families, and us, to make these changes eternal.

Since the accident, both families have visited West A.  One of these families is very interested in making us their church home.  When we face tragedy, especially tragedy of great magnitude, we tend to take stock in where our lives are.  When we are forced to face our mortality in a very real, tangible way, we assess what is of value to our families and ourselves.  From one second to the next, life ceased being about a cup of coffee and became about gasping for that next breath.  It is our nature that when times are not pressing, we focus on the aspects of life that are only about comfort.  When life becomes desperate, we focus on God.

Wouldn't it be great if we could learn to focus on God with the same desire and desperation when life is good as we do when we face tragedy?  We see in the Old Testament time and time again when the children of Israel have to relearn this lesson.  We see in history time and time again when God's creation has to relearn this lesson.  And I bet if you're honest with me, we can admit to each other looking over our own lives, there are several times that we as individuals have had to relearn this lesson.

Right now, whether your life is in turmoil or peace, spend a moment realizing just how desperate for God you really are - now, take a moment and thank Him for being here.