Reflections on the LA fires

This past week, we've all seen incredible images of destruction by the wildfires in LA. This one hit close to home for me. The Eaton fire destroyed a community (Altadena) that was very close to where I grew up. Many of my childhood friends had to evacuate from their homes and everything is covered in smoke and ash. It looks like an atomic bomb was set off in the middle of Los Angeles.

The Palisades Fire. Photo taken Jan 7, 2025.

Here in the Bay Area, we are not unfamiliar with the devastation of wildfires. As we grieve for our friends in LA, I wanted to share some pastoral reflections:

(1) Life is fleeting. For many people, the fires destroyed their homes with almost no notice. There was no advance warning. There was no sense of danger even a day before. The overwhelming feeling is just shock and disbelief. We forget how fragile and ephemeral life truly is. At any moment, disaster can strike down our lives.

(2) Wealth is no protection. One of the devastated communities was Pacific Palisades. Everyone who grew up in LA knows this is the place where the ultra rich and powerful live. There were literally $100m houses that went up in flames. Wealth can buy material goods, but it cannot save us from the heartache and ruin of this fallen world.

(3) The only true shelter is God. The Bible says that if you build your life on anything in this world, you are building on shifting sands. The only rock is God. He alone is an eternal fortress that cannot be shaken. Build your life on Him. Psalm 18:2, "The Lord is my rock and my fortress, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and stronghold."

If you would like to make a financial contribution to the victims of the LA wildfires, Reality Church has set up a special fund for this purpose.