First - please stop for a moment now and pray for Japan. I cannot get my head around the unearthly devastation and ongoing hell following an 8.9 earthquake. It's a tiny country with real people dying and suffering.Yes, I think of Biblical prophecy such as Matthew 24:6-8,
6And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.8All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.
Was there ever such a time until now? I don't know.
I ponder the voice and messages to which I listen. I'd spent the better part of almost an hour combing the most up-to-the-minute websites that I could, including USGS on Twitter. Shifting from care for others to concern for my own behind, I have tried to discern what was the real MESSAGE regarding the tsunami waves heading towards the west coast of the USA. I looked, scoured, read. Real danger! Oh they're now hitting Crescent City! Are my friends there alright?
To what do I pay attention? And what action do I take?
Finally I found the local radio station on the internet. It was playing classical music. And when the announcer's voice came on, there was no panic. There is awareness. The waves are beginning to hit the West Coast NOW! And.... they are 2- to 5-ft. in height.
I'm calmer knowing that my own flesh is seemingly safe for now; may I still pray for the hundreds dead and thousands hurt in Japan! The aftershocks continue.
Pain and suffering are in so many places.
Sometimes I listen to fear and purported reason in potentially alarming situations. The waves rock the small boat and o, where IS the Lord? I get an ultrasound today, in a few hours. It will discover what is already inside of me, this mysterious "2.5cm mass." Benign or malignant? I don't know now; I will by this evening, most likely.
"Be not afraid," said Jesus to the cowering fishermen, "It is I." (John 6:16-21).
The storm was real. So was Jesus.
"Be not afraid."
"Be not afraid."
Prayers offered and candles lit for all of the people of Japan, the lost and those left behind. Things like this remind us that there is no hurt too great to be forgiven, no time for useless regrets and no time like the present to hold friends and family close. For in the wink of an eye, the exhalation of breath, it can all vanish like smoke.
ReplyDeleteWe will all be with you, holding your hand, this afternoon. Blessings to you, and a deep wish for health and joy.
Do you have news? We are all here, holding our collective breath, waiting for a word.
ReplyDeleteAye aye! :-)
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