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From Destruction to Devotion: Lessons from the Los Angeles Wildfires Peace be with you all. Sadly, the most destructive wildfire in modern Los Angeles County, California history is raging unchecked, causing immense destruction. Over 1,000 homes have been destroyed, over 130,000 residents have had to evacuate, and at least five people have been killed. The Palisades Fire was the first to start the chain of fires just a couple of days ago in the Santa Monica Mountains region of Los Angeles County, California. Fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, the fire has spread rapidly, burning over 28,000 acres so far. God, in His goodness toward us, affords us noble elements such as air, water, and sunshine. These elements serve and benefit mankind because we are made in the image of God. This is a great privilege and something we should be thankful to Him for. Without God's command, these elements would never submit to us, as we are inferior to them, but they do so because of God's order and our creation in His image. However, even though these elements are commanded by God to provide for us, they can grow weary due to an excessive amount of sin and the failure to acknowledge God, our Creator, properly. This is why we sometimes see an excess of rain or flooding, extreme dryness from the sun, or powerful destructive windstorms. These elements often become fatigued by mankind's continued disregard for God's ways. Thanks be to God, for many years, America has been a blessed country. But as it has been blessed, more people of diverse backgrounds and different religious faiths have come to the country. This has led to complexities in how society acknowledges God. It is important that we as individuals hold to the acknowledgment and worship of only God, our Creator, despite the growing diverse population. We don't want to force anyone to worship God, because God doesn't force people. If God doesn't force people, neither should we. However, it is important that we hold to our faith in the Creator and try to persuade others to our way of thinking without pressing or pressuring them if they don't want to hear it. Our acknowledgment and thankfulness to the Creator contribute to our reward in the Kingdom of God, and persuading others without forcing them contributes to a better and safer society in general. While God in His goodness has been patient and blessed America in many ways, America has still held traditions steeped in centuries of idolatry. For example, all the English days of the week are named after pagan idols in history. Why should we give reference to pagan idols in history for our days of the week who have done nothing for us? God, our Creator, is the one who deserves recognition for our days of the week, as it is Him who provided everything for us. Yet, many Americans persist with holding to these pagan names out of tradition instead of changing them for the better. Some countries, including Israel, have named the days of the week after the number of the day of the week it represents as given in the Genesis Creation account of the Bible. This is a practice I believe America should follow to eliminate these pagan names for the days of the week. Consider the passage of scripture: "Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips" (Exodus 23:13). Next, California has become the largest liberal state in America, advocating for rights such as abortion. Los Angeles receives the highest number of people traveling for abortions from restricted areas compared to any other city in the United States. It's estimated that between 4,700 and 9,400 people travel to Los Angeles County alone each year for abortion services. If God blessed you with the gift of a child, why would God delight in seeing you take its life away through abortion? Many Christians and Jews read sections of the Bible about how the ancient Israelites, rooted in idolatry, sometimes sacrificed their own children to idols. People think of how horrible that act was while failing to see the horror of killing a child in the womb because of not wanting it. There are alternative options, such as offering the child for adoption. Many people who can't have children desire to adopt. Offering your child for adoption can contribute to someone's happiness, even if you don’t want to raise the child. Let's consider these alternative solutions instead of performing such acts of evil through abortion. In discussions with many people worldwide, I try to help them see that God isn't pleased with animal sacrifices, such as those performed during Eid Al-Adha. I believe this is why we often see destruction and war-torn societies due to these practices. People often respond by mentioning that America also kills many animals for consumption. My response is that my country of America sadly also suffers consequences through natural disasters such as wildfires and a growing number of cancer facilities and hospitals. Some researchers believe that the California fires are linked to climate change, and one of the largest causes of climate change is the killing and eating of animals. Environmentalists believe that livestock farming produces significant greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming. From these tragic events in Los Angeles, we learn the importance of being grateful to God for His many blessings, as what we have can be gone in an instant if God wills it. Many insurance companies have canceled fire policies in Los Angeles, especially in areas prone to wildfires. State Farm alone dropped about 1,600 policies in Pacific Palisades, the same area where the recent fire broke out. This has left many residents without adequate coverage, making the financial impact even more devastating. In just two days, it's possible that many of these people lost everything they had. Let's stay thankful to God, our Creator, for the blessings He has bestowed upon us and practice righteous living, recognizing that at any moment, what we have can be gone in an instant if God wills it. Living a Life Pleasing to God: In addition to the broader principles discussed, there are specific actions and behaviors that can draw us closer to or distance us from God. These include: Abstaining from consuming meat and blood, as God never intended for us to kill and eat animals. Avoiding sexual immorality, which can manifest in various forms, including polygamy. Practicing moderation in all things. While these may seem challenging, they are essential aspects of living a life that is truly pleasing to God. Conclusion: Let us strive to live lives that are pleasing to God, rejecting falsehood and embracing truth. May we learn from past suffering and work towards a future filled with peace, love, and understanding. Shalom