There are some news stories we cannot read lightly.
Because behind every number, there is a family.
Behind every collapsed building, there is a story.
Behind every survivor, there is a life that could have ended in seconds.
In Venezuela, a powerful double earthquake shook the state of La Guaira. Entire buildings collapsed. Several high-rise towers came down. Many people died, thousands were injured, and many families were left searching for their loved ones among the rubble.
And in the middle of that tragedy, one story touched the hearts of many.
An evangelical congregation was gathered in worship when the ground began to shake violently. The church building was still under construction, without fully built walls, which allowed many of the people inside to see with their own eyes how the buildings around them were collapsing.
Just imagine that moment.
People running.
The floor moving.
The roof beginning to give way.
Dust rising everywhere.
Fear entering every heart.
Some women froze. They could not move. Not only because of the earthquake, but because their families lived in the buildings they had just seen collapse.
The pastor, who had already run out during the first tremors, went back in with another church member to help rescue them. Seconds later, the structure gave way.
And when it was all over, when the church was left in ruins, when the dust was still in the air and the city was filled with pain, the congregation did something that spoke louder than a thousand words.
They held hands and began to pray.
They were not celebrating the tragedy.
They were not ignoring the pain of others.
They were not saying their lives were worth more than the lives of those who died.
They were giving thanks because, in the middle of so much destruction, God allowed them to remain alive.
And this is where we must be very careful.
When we hear a story like this, we may say, “It was a miracle.” And yes, for those who survived, that is exactly how it feels. But we must also remember with deep respect those who did not survive. Because faith should never make us insensitive to the suffering of others.
The Bible says in Romans 12:15:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
That means we can give thanks for those who were saved, while also grieving with the families who are suffering today.
Because God is not only present when someone makes it out alive.
God is also near the father who lost his child.
The mother waiting for news.
The elderly person who lost their home.
The child who cannot understand why their world changed in seconds.
This news reminds us of something we often forget: life is fragile.
A person can leave home thinking everything will continue as usual.
A person can be at church, at work, in the shower, or walking down the street, and suddenly discover that we are not in control of anything.
That is why, more than living in fear, we must live prepared.
Prepared to love more.
Prepared to forgive faster.
Prepared to seek God sincerely.
Prepared to understand that our security is not in buildings, money, or routine, but in Christ.
Jesus said in Matthew 24:44:
“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”
We do not know the day or the hour.
We do not know when our last hug will be.
We do not know when our last conversation will happen.
We do not know when our last opportunity to return to God will come.
That is why this story should not only move us.
It should wake us up.
Today, Venezuela needs prayer.
It needs help.
It needs comfort.
It needs willing hands ready to serve.
And from wherever we are, we can lift up a sincere prayer for the injured, for those who lost family members, for the rescue workers, for the churches, for the children, for the elderly, and for everyone going through a very dark night.
May this tragedy remind us that life can change in seconds, but God remains a refuge for the brokenhearted.
If you are alive today, do not take it for granted.
Thank God.
Hug your family.
Ask for forgiveness if you need to.
Seek Christ while you still have time.
Because when everything around us collapses, only God can sustain the soul.
Today we pray for Venezuela.
Lord, have mercy on this nation.
Comfort those who are grieving.
Strengthen the wounded.
Guide the rescue workers.
Provide help for the displaced.
And in the middle of pain, allow many to find hope in You.
Amen.
SomosCristianos.
Connecting hearts with Christ.
