In these modern times we, mankind, like to think that we are in control. We have technology and science and we are so advanced over the peoples of other times. Recent events are showing us otherwise.

Meteorologists have discovered a pattern of warm and cold water in the Pacific Ocean that contributes to our weather’s behavior. The patterns are called “El Nino” and “La Nina”, the little boy and the little girl. And just as little boys and girls are quite opposite, so are the results of these weather patterns. Here in Florida we are experiencing the third year of rainfall deficit. In swampy areas the dead vegetation forms peat. When the peat dries, it can catch fire and is very difficult to extinguish because it continues to smolder underground. There is little we can do about it except pray for rain.

Munich Reinsurance, a large insurer that underwrites other insurance companies, reported a record number of “natural disasters” in 2000. These include floods, hurricanes and destructive tornados, drought and earthquakes. Technology can warn us of impending storms, but cannot stop them. There is little we can do, but attempt to go to a safe place.

Those who keep track of earthquakes report that large earthquakes, those over 7.0 on the Richter Scale, have been steadily becoming more frequent since the 1960's. Japan has prepared for earthquakes by building “quake-proof” structures. The Kobe, Japan earthquake a few years ago showed that the buildings could not resist a major event. There is nothing mankind or technology can do about an earthquake.

In December 2000, a small, 150-foot wide asteroid came within 300,000 miles of the earth. The moon averages about 250,000 miles distance. In astronomical terms this is a near miss. It is estimated that this asteroid, had it struck London or New York, would have destroyed the entire city and everything in a 25-mile radius. Professor Duncan Steel, in his book Target Earth, says that there are many such asteroids out there. Some are larger. The problem is, before we did not know they were there. Now we have the technology to spot them, but technology cannot stop or divert them. There is little we can do.

England was recently suffering from an epizootic (animal epidemic) of hoof and mouth disease. Despite quarantine efforts it continued to spread. It got worse before it got better. The epizootic threatened the food supply of England and countries on the continent feared that it may spread to their flocks as well. How did this happen? How did it just pop up in these days of modern farming techniques and anti-biotics? Similarly, there was a recent scare in Canada when an airline passenger from Africa developed the symptoms of the Ebola virus. Here, in North America.

We are very blessed with food, shelter, health and security. We think we are in control. Over the ages mankind has learned that it is not in control. Our existence on earth is very tenuous. A slight change of temperature, a slight change of astronomical direction, a slight shift in the crust of the earth can make all the difference in the world. There is nothing we can do.

Christians know that God is in control. Is He trying to tell us something? Is He tired of man taking credit for the blessings that we receive every day? Praise God from whom all blessings flow!