Everyone was just enjoying the sun, surf and the pleasures of life. The warning came but most did not understand the signs. The water at the beach began to drain out to sea, like someone had pulled a plug and the sea was being drained. On the horizon a wall could be seen forming.
Some realised the danger and ran to high ground. Others ran towards the sea to get a better view, intrigued, rejecting the idea that there was any danger. Others procrastinated and just stood where they were, contemplating whether to get a better look or to run.
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia.
The earthquake was caused by subduction and triggered a series of devastating tsunami along the coasts of most landmasses bordering the Indian Ocean, killing more than 225,000 people in eleven countries, and inundating coastal communities with waves up to 30 meters (100 feet) high. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand were the hardest hit.
It is easier for us as we look in retrospect. What would our response have been on that fateful day?
This is no different to the message the Christians preach all over the world. There is a day coming when we will face God and give an account – did we accept Him or reject Him?
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.” When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” At that, Paul left the Council. Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed.
Acts 17:30-34
There are 3 responses to Paul’s presentation:
(1) Some rejected it – “some of them sneered”
(2) Some procrastinated – “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
(3) Some accepted it – “Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed“
So when Christians speak of the choice to make Jesus Lord of your life, turn back towards God and discover you can live life in intimate relationship with God, what is your response?
Is it the same as it would be should a Tsunami be approaching you?