A CLOSE CALL
Today, May 18th is the 38th anniversary of the catastrophic eruption of Mt St Helens. Fifty seven lives were lost. According to the U. S. Geological Survey, the most destructive volcanic eruption in U. S. history. In recent days I have viewed videos of the eruption and rescue operations following. I was fortunate to have owned a small cabin approximately a mile below Spirit Lake, and five miles from the mountain. My cabin was located on one of around two dozen privately owned parcels within Gifford Pinchot National Forest. I have always been drawn to the mountains, enjoying the beauty and serenity they offer. I enjoy the ocean as well, however for me, the mountains is where I feel closer to God. One of the reasons we love living where we now live in Central Oregon, is the view of the majestic Cascade Mountains. Spending time at the cabin was one of my most treasured experiences. Whether it was enjoying beautiful colors and hunting in the fall, snowmobiling in winter, or hiking and other summer activities, the cabin was a special place to enjoy life with the other cabin owners, friends and family. Those of us who owned property there, watched with interest what was happening at the mountain. A red zone had been designated for the area near the mountain, and access was restricted. It was good news for the owners on Saturday May 17th, hearing we were to be granted access. We could travel into the red zone to check our property. If conditions permitted, access would be granted the next day as well. Many owners gathered at the school in the small community of Toutle, to sign waivers and receive instructions. We were to be led to the site by a State Patrol officer, and have a limited amount of time to check our property. The authorities were concerned for our safety. There was a large bulge on the North side of the mountain which was growing daily. National Guard helicopters were standing by at Mc Chord airfield to our North, in the event the mountain decided to act up. A friend Don, had joined me. Upon arrival, we checked my cabin, loaded some personal items into the car, and then drove up the road to the parking lot at timberline turnaround to take pictures. We could clearly see the bulge forming on the side of the mountain. At 4:30 PM, Saturday May 17th, we stood just below where the destruction was about to be unleashed.
The last eruption of significance prior to 1980 took place in 1857, a span of 123 years. In hours, 1,077,480 hours had elapsed. Those of us who traveled to the mountain were there just sixteen hours before the eruption! Oh my goodness, in perspective by comparison, perhaps one 10,000th of a second! A close call indeed.
So what, you say. You and those other folks were really lucky, to which I would respond, I don’t believe in luck. I believe my God, who created the universe, holds my life in his hand. If luck were involved, the eruption could have started just as easily at 4:30 May 17th when my friend Don and I were standing on the side of the mountain. My conviction is that nothing exists or occurs which was not created or ordained by God. John 1:3, Proverbs 20:24, Matthew 10:30, Luke 12:7, Job 9:7-9, Psalm 136, Psalm 147:4, Job 38, Psalm 33:9 and 1 Corinthians 15:38-41 are some scriptures I point to, which helped me come to my conviction. You can read the scriptures and come to your own conclusion. Clearly He placed the stars in the sky and the planets in motion. The universe functions just as God directed when he created it. For reasons known only by God, the eruption did not begin, one second before he chose to allow it. Many lives beyond the 57, would have been lost had the eruption taken place during our visit.
The vastness and reality of God is beyond man’s intellect! I don’t begin to understand God. I experience that He is real, when his Holy Spirit connects with my spirit, and I accept by faith, what I have experienced. If you think about your life, you may have had a close call as well. Thank Him for your life, and for loving you.