I had never seen a “Code I” before last week. I was in a first grade observing a student teacher when suddenly over the intercom came the words, “Code I.” Instantly the teacher hurried to lock the classroom door and turn off the light. As she hastened to pull down all the window shades the children scurried to a pre-assigned place where huddled together on the floor so they could not be seen from the window in the door. For over five minutes they made not a sound, even when someone came and rattled the door. I soon figured out the “I” stood for intruder. When the all clear was given one little guy came up to me and said, “Did you hide?” I assured him that I had.
This was a 21st century equivalent to the “H-Bomb Drill” we did when I was a little guy. I remember thinking how stupid it was to be under my desk for surely such a weapon would just vaporize me. But then I realized it depended how far one was from the center of the blast and hiding under the desk could protect us from flying glass.
Alas, the human condition is indeed one of fear and insecurity. It has been this way since Cain struck Abel. The world is and always has been filled with danger and death. Recently someone lamented to me how bad the world has become. “Become,” I asked. If we think it is worse now than ever it is only because we were asleep in history class. Those of us who are blessed to look in the mirror and see wrinkles and gray hair are blessed. We are survivors. The only way it will ever get better is for Jesus to keep His promise and come again.
Written by Roger Bothwell on February 21, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org