When the earthquake was over, I checked for damage and found none.
The following morning, I met with some friends for breakfast, and one of them asked the rest of us if we carried survival kits in our cars. He has prepared well, with three days of supplies in each of his vehicles, and about three months of supplies at his home. I admitted that I had not prepared any kits, and told him that in case of a significant disaster, my plan was to walk to his house and share from his bounty. Of course, I’d have to walk about 50 miles, providing there was a way to get there. A little impractical, so it made me think about the need to prepare, although I haven’t started yet.

Towards the end of his earthly ministry, Jesus took his disciples to the Mount of Olives to teach them. The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 24, records that the disciples asked Jesus what signs would indicate his coming again and the close of the age (vs. 3). He responded in part by saying, “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places” (vs. 7), but added that, “All these are but the beginning of the birth pains” (vs. 8). Earthquakes, along with famines and wars, frequently occur all around the world. There is nothing unusual about these events. Yet they serve as reminders to us that we need to be prepared to meet Jesus face to face at any moment.

We don’t need anyone to remind us that life is short and we are fragile as humans.
Many people prepare for the end of their lives by creating wills and trusts, buying life insurance or long term care insurance, and making funeral preparations in advance.
What’s infinitely more important is preparing for the next life. God has made some promises about the quality of life after death, but there are also some conditions to enter into that new dimension in his presence. Just like I need to prepare in advance for a disaster, I hope you’ll make careful preparations for spending eternity with God.

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All that reminded me of was of an exciting story concerning day hikers. The trek was tough, but luckily for them, halfway up the strenuous trail was a small inn where everyone was able to stop and take a break. After a short rest, the group was ready to finish up the last half of the hike when some decided they would instead remain at the inn and catch the group on the way down.

The exciting thing was this — at first; the ‘stay-behind’ group was having a great time, drinking, laughing telling stories. But soon it became quiet as they stared up towards the mountain where they knew the rest of the hikers were about to summit. What were they thinking? Probably something like, “Why in the world did I stop halfway up?!” Sadly, mediocre became their middle name that afternoon.

Jesus never did anything halfway. Think about it: can you imagine Jesus healing the ten lepers but only healing the right side of their bodies?! What good would that have done them? Or can you imagine Jesus feeding the crowd of 5,000 the loaves and fishes but having only enough for part of them, leaving the last five hundred to eat crumbs & fish guts?!

If we, as Christ-followers want to step it up to have an amazing life, versus one of mediocrity, how do we do that? I believe it starts with the simple yet profound question: “What would Jesus do?” and then we do that. It’s not brain surgery! We pray for that person in need, listen to the hurting coworker, love your loud and obnoxious neighbor, and believe for miracles as often as your faith allows!

Mediocrity is something Christians should avoid like the plague! God has called us to strive for the summit in life – not stall halfway up. Ephesians 3:20 tells us God is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” And, of course, that power is God Himself working through us.

It’s thought-provoking to think that we are the only part of creation that is created in the image of God! By image, we mean spirit and soul, not a physical image. Thankfully, God does not resemble my husband Bob at 6’1”, 175 lbs., bald with blue eyes!

But here is the fascinating thing: the Hebrew word for “image” is tzelem. It stems from the Hebrew word for “shadow.” Think about it; shadows don’t act independently from their primary source – a shadow is only a reflected image. To be made in the image of God means we are to be a reflection of God. Can you imagine yourself walking out your front door turning right, only to have your shadow turn left?! Something would be terribly out of place for that to ever, in a million years, happen!

I love what Paul said in I Cor 11:1 along those same ‘shadow’ lines: “Imitate me, watch my ways, follow my example, just as I, too, always seek to imitate Christ.” Do you hear that familiar line – “What would Jesus do? – Then do that” embedded in that verse? You can’t lose in life if you are following as close to Jesus as a shadow! John Piper was reading Paul’s mail when he wrote: “God made us in His own image so His image would be shown.”

Pastors Bob and Susan Beckett pastor The Dwelling Place City Church at 27100 Girard Street in Hemet. For more information visit them at DPCityChurch.com

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