Our Emergency Alert System
Last Wednesday, October 4th, you might have wondered what the noise was about that came through on your cell phone.
Starting around 1:20 p.m. CST, the federal government began conducting a nationwide test of its Emergency Alert System to all cell phones, radios and televisions.
The test was being conducted by FEMA — the Federal Emergency Management Agency in coordination with the FCC – the Federal Communication Commission. Its purpose was to ensure that the systems in place continue to be an effective means of warning the public about emergencies at a national level.
President Obama signed a law in 2016 that required FEMA to create a system that allowed the president to send cell phone alerts regarding public safety emergencies.
If a national emergency happens, in a matter of seconds, everyone who owns a cell phone can receive a message that could save their lives.
I’m thankful for warning systems. The dashboard lights in my car, smoke detectors in my home, even the little bumps in the road that let me know when I’m crossing over into another lane. If there’s any device or object that’s able to warn me of danger or impending catastrophe, I want it working for me.
In the Lord’s perfect design, we are equipped with a warning system to keep us from danger and harm. Pain is a warning system. When we first experience that pain, it may not feel like a blessing, but it’s really a gift from God.
We know something is physically wrong when our body hurts. But more than that, pain is God’s way of protecting us. Maybe it’s as simple as needing to drink more water, getting more rest, making better food choices, and/or getting into some fitness routines.
From a spiritual perspective, we have another built-in warning system. It is our conscience. Just as pain warns us of physical danger to our body, our conscience warns us about the potential threat to our morals and values.
Our conscience alone can’t save us. It’s merely a warning device. And unless it has been guarded and trained, it won’t be able to alert us to spiritual danger. A malnourished, confused, and underdeveloped conscience won’t be able to protect us. In fact, it could lead us to immorality and regrets.
Living a life of freedom, joy, peace, hope, and love is possible and that’s why God made sure to give us such amazing warning systems. My Mom’s famous line was “Let your conscience be your guide”. Those were her parting words when I went out with my girlfriends or boyfriend.
Those words served me well as they were loud in my heart and kept me on the straight and narrow path. Is your conscience up to speed? Does it help you think before you speak or even before you do that deed that isn’t God-inspired?
Never do we want to ignore God’s warning system. It’s His love call and His love language. He loves us too much to leave us. Please, Lord, help us heed Your warning signals and alerts!