Indonesia Earthquake: A wake up call

At estimated 1,100 people have been killed in the massive earthquake of 7.6 magnitude that strucks Indonesia and the toll is still expected to rise...

 

From Typhoon Ondoy to Tsunamu in Samoa...

Situation is indeed alarming!
Tragedy is everywhere...
I don't know whether I need to right my own version of news and data or simply post tolls and updates.
It's all over the web now. In every pages the I browse.
Photos of people mourning.
Death tolls.
Declaration of State of Calamities.
Flooded areas.
Collapsed buildings.
Washed out villages.

I'm searching for good news.
Or rather, I am hungry for some positive information...

And unfortunately, very seldom that we can see some encouraging pages these days.
Most discussed about calamity...
We'll because that is the reality.

Yesterday, I was talking to my Nanay and we discussed about the situation... she mentioned about the Book of Revelation from the Bible. Her voice was about to break as she told me to just come home, stay with them... not because we are thinking that it is the "end" but simply because she wants us to be together, when another disaster comes. The hardest thing in such trial is to face it, a thousand miles away from your loved ones.

I replied, "In sha allah" which means "If God permits."
Because we cannot plan according to what we always wanted... it won't come to reality without His grace. If there are lessons that I learned from these 3 disasters... these are:

1. We don't own tomorrow.
"Now, listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow, we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money, why? You do not even know what will hppen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while, and then vanishes." - James 4:13-14

2. Do not live for money.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust drstroy, and where thiees break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not break in and steal. For where your treasure in, there your heart will be, also." - Matthew 6:19-21

3. Be thankful.
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Many have lived for their tomorrow. Many secured their future through material things. They invest their lives in securing their future financially... yet, ignore living from day to day. Regretfully, time passed unnoticed.
Moments passed without realizing how blessed they were... disregard their gift of life. Instead, became proud what they have materially and complains when things didn't pursue according to their plans.

Unfortunately, many has disregard the real meaning of life and overlooked the importance of God in our existence.

And maybe, these tragedies are wake up call to us. To all who have lost their goals and who lose their souls.

"God is our refuge and strength, our ever present help in trouble." -Psalm 146:1

---o0o---

Want to read more Bible Verse?

Here's My Memory Verse