As the Tubbs wildfire and many others tore through California in October 2017, many people had to flee for their lives, with some just barely escaping with the clothes on their backs. Such was the case for John and Jan Pascoe of Santa Rosa, California.
The Pascoes’ home was unique. It had 11 levels and was shaped like a boat, surrounded by large decks that took advantage of every angle of the beautiful scenery and landscapes surrounding their property. John, who was a wine broker as well as a painter, had many of his paintings displayed throughout their home. Each level was divided into small rooms and decorated with memorabilia from many of the places that they had vacationed in around the world. In short, their life experiences and memories were wrapped up in their home!
That night, at 10 p.m., Jan went outside to check on her tomato plants and to look at the moon. It was a beautiful, clear night with no sign of fire or the smell of smoke. Coming inside, she took a shower and when she got out, she thought she smelled smoke. But when John went to check, there was just the moon coming up.
When Jan checked her phone, the fire was 11 miles away, not close enough to panic. Besides, there had been no official alerts, so they decided to retire for the night. It was then that their oldest daughter called, saying that her father-in-law’s house had burned to the ground. Though it was 40 miles away, she told her parents that she thought they should evacuate now.
But the Pascoes didn’t think so. Just to be ready, though, they carefully wrapped up some of their valuables, including some of John’s many paintings, which they loaded into his truck. What they didn’t know then was that their time to escape was rapidly running out!
So Many in the Same Shoes
How many people are just like them! They know life is fragile. They know the danger of dying any day from any number of causes. They instinctively know that there is existence after death, but ... they delay and put off attending to their eternal well-being. They never bother to search out the truth about God. They never bother to learn about heaven and hell, their soul’s destiny, and their need of a Savior. Far worse are those that know the way of salvation and know that their soul will continue in hell forever — separated from all God’s mercy. They’ve heard a true gospel (good news) preached; they’ve had family and friends beg them to come to faith in Jesus now. But they’ve refused by saying, “Later!” or, “Someday when I get around to it!” or, “I want to have fun and experience life first!”
A Wall of Fire
A few hours later, a mighty, dry wind rose which felt like a dry hurricane. Again, their daughter called at midnight, telling them that they needed to get out. This time, when they looked out of their window, they could see a red glow in the sky. Now they realized their danger! Picking up their 17-year-old cat, Jan got into her Mercedes-Benz and John got into his truck. Driving down to the end of their long driveway, they were met by a wall of flames coming their way. Quickly turning around, they drove back up to the house. When Jan opened her door, the cat jumped out and disappeared. What were they going to do? How were they going to survive?
They decided that their only hope was to get into their neighbor’s swimming pool, which was a third of a mile away. Standing at the edge of the blackened, debris-filled pool, they debated as to when they should get in. Now, or the last instant? John decided to wait because the water was so cold. But the air soon turned super-hot with intense heat. Then the neighbor’s house caught fire. The tree next to the pool burst into flames, and the wooden tiers framing the cement steps leading to the pool ignited.
As the neighborhood around them went up in flames, they got into the pool. Hours went by, six of them, in fact, as they waited for the houses around them to burn down and the fire tornado to pass. They wondered how it could take so long for a house to burn, and why did the moon not seem to be moving at all? It was freezing in the pool! Fortunately, the pool was only four feet deep, which made it easier for them to come up for air. As the hours went by, they talked of their deep love for each other and family.
Devastation
At last, they were able to get out of the pool — but what a scene met their eyes! Jan had put her cell phone in her shoe by the side of the pool — the phone had melted and so had her shoe. The landscape was charred and blackened. The neighbor’s house and theirs had completely burned to the ground. The remains of their truck and car were burned and sitting on their rims. But they had each other and they had escaped with their lives, for which they were deeply thankful.
The Pascoes had almost lost their lives because they didn’t leave as soon as they could or should have. They had both time and warning — but they decided to take a chance. Comfort and possessions held them back, but in the end both were lost. But God tells us that there is something far more valuable than riches, possessions, fame, or even power, which can all be lost. Jesus said, “What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-3736For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36‑37)).
Our Destinies
We each will continue to exist forever. Our bodies are the shell that our souls inhabit. When God created man, He breathed into him the breath of life. The Bible puts it this way: “The Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:77And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7)).
Therefore, because our souls continue on, it is critical that we know where we are going. Jesus used figurative language to tell us not to let anything or anyone prevent us from having eternal life with Him in heaven. “If thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life [heaven] maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched” (Mark 9:4343And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (Mark 9:43)). In verse 45, Jesus says, “If thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched.” The hands remind us of what we do; the feet remind us of where we go.
God considers us to be so indescribably valuable that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for us. God’s love is so vast, full and free that He offers salvation to all who will have it. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)). God wants us to come to Him in repentance and faith, trusting in the death of Jesus for our sins. God wants our complete and total trust. Again, Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:33And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3)). God’s way of salvation is so simple that anyone can have it, rich or poor, the learned and the unlearned, the haves and the have nots. God paid a great price to be able to have you! Come to Him now, while you have the chance! To delay may mean an eternal separation from God.