I stood in the center of my grandfather's room, clinging to his bed, as picture frames rattled against the bare white walls. I called out for my grandmother, unsure of where she was at the time. Shortly after, she appeared in the entryway of the bedroom, her fingers tightly clenching the door frame in order to restore her balance. She looked up to the heavens, calling upon the name of Yeshua in her native tongue--Greek. This whole incident probably took place within a minute's time, but it felt like an eternity. I spoke with a friend recently about the day that my hometown experienced its first earthquake in years. I jokingly explained how I believed it was time for the rapture!
Needless to say, the rapture never came or perhaps it did and I've just been left behind! Nonetheless, something significant happened yesterday. I suddenly became very aware of how life as we know it can change in a split second. Earlier that day, I was taking my grandparents to a doctor's appointment and just hours later we were in the midst of an earthquake. I think of all the major disasters that have occurred within my lifetime--the tsunami in Japan, the earthquake in Haiti, Hurricane Katrina, 9/11. These are just to name a few, but so monumental in impact. Thousands of lives were lost in these unexpected tragedies. Those who have survived to tell it would probably describe where they were or what they were doing as just the usual routine before their lives were interrupted and changed forever.
The earthquake that hit Maryland and the neighboring states was minor and I am grateful to say that we suffered minimal damage. Although we did not face disaster in such a large scale as those tragedies mentioned earlier, my spirit was alarmed and my eyes were awakened. The first thought to cross my mind was how I hadn't seized the opportunity to talk about Jesus with my grandfather. I have prayed for healing with him over various ailments, but I never talked to him about receiving the gift of salvation. It made me question how serious I am about witnessing to others, including my own family. After all, the most important decision we make determines whether or not we spend eternity in the kingdom of heaven!
In addition, I have spent some time thinking about what I would be doing now if I knew the exact date, the hour, or even the month of Jesus' arrival. However, Jesus reveals through scripture, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew 24:36). What does the bible tell us we should be doing in the interim? In Acts 1:10-11, scripture reveals that the disciples witnessed Jesus' ascension into heaven. "And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, 'Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven'". In other words, we should not be enslaved to the waiting period which paralyzes us from taking care of business as He's ordained here on this earth. Instead, we are called to action. "'But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Matthew 24:43-44).
I encourage us all to live as though the clouds were parting this very moment preparing the way for Jesus' descension upon the earth. If He were to enter your household unexpectedly, what would He witness you doing? He could very well catch our hands rummaging through a cookie jar rather than clasped in an attitude of prayer.
We have no control over acts of nature, terrorist attacks, disease, or famine, but I pray they do not go unwarranted. God makes beautiful things of the rubble and debris that is left in our lives when the walls come tumbling down. But, we must trust that He is in control. If these tragedies we face in life do not stir us up into action and awaken us from our sleepy complacency, what will?
One thing I have learned in the wake of the recent earthquake is that I've become caught up in the distractions of this world. I need to pray more, spend time in His word, witness to others, and trust that He is fully in control. Whether my life were taken from me now or I live to witness the Day of Judgement, I would hope it means something, that I fulfilled my purpose here on earth. I pray to be an instrumental part in leading others to the Lord. But, it shouldn't take these moments for us to put things into perspective. Let us seize the opportunity we have now to love more, pray more, and live in constant view of the second coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
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