11/04/2012

   Super storm, Sandy, left an ugly footprint on America. Even with pictures and descriptions of the impacted areas, its hard to get one’s mind around the extent of damage. Beside the property damage, an even greater loss was that of human life. Scores of family members are mourning the death of loved ones. Sadly, some of those deaths were avoidable. Some people refused to heed the evacuation orders and subsequently died unnecessarily.

    It could be argued that those who died had a right to stay and expect  the government to protect them or provide them with a place of refuge. This is the same kind of “logic” we heard after Katrina when the government was accused of negligence.

But who was really negligent?

    Irrespective of your political posture, the fact remains that both in Katrina and Sandy some people chose to ignore the warnings and suffered the consequences of their decision. Why do people choose to risk their lives in the face of imminent danger? Why are people willfully negligent?

    Some people ignore warnings because they see themselves as an exception. They have forgotten the reality of history. Jesus encountered people like this who claimed that they had never been “in bondage to any man” (Jn. 8:33), while history proved otherwise. Their problem was the same as many today. They refused to hear the Lord’s admonition and chose to listen to Satan’s lies (Jn. 8:43). People are still listening to Satan’s lies while ignoring the warnings of God’s words. How foolish and tragic!

    Peter wrote about another group who willfully forgot the historical record of the flood (2 Pet. 3:5). If they were attentive, they should have learned about the tragic end of those who refused to heed Noah’s warnings. The same God who flooded that world has said He will destroy this world with fire (2 Pet. 3:10). Does He mean what He says?

    There is no excuse for not listening to the Lord’s warnings. He has told us about the end because He wants no one to perish (2 Pet. 3:9). But He will not drag us to safety if we choose to ignore the warning. Nor can we “get on the roof” and expect to be rescued after the storm. There will be no second chances after the earth is burned up. That’s why Peter urges his readers to get ready. We have advanced warning of the coming “fire storm”. There is no reason not to be prepared for that day. Sadly, most are not heeding the warning. Are you listening?   KD