January 2005
Just like that. And you're gone.
What have the Tsunamis in South East Asia taught you?
It was the season 'to be jolly'. Literally thousands upon thousands of tourists & locals were plunged deep in the festive season only to be taken in by a wave of a different kind.
News reports are now calling the devastation 'unprecendented'. The numbers of those lost keep rising, every time one checks the news - sometimes are soon as every half hour.
And as the hours worked into days, and soon weeks, more will die. Out of starvation, disease, food poisoning. Individuals. Families. Villages. Destroyed. The entire geography of the world has changed due to this act of nature.
And yet... and yet... sadly, it's sometimes easier to change the geography of the world than to change our mindsets.
The world teaches us that 'life is short' and that we should therefore 'enjoy ourselves' with - alcohol, sexual immorality, parties, gambling and so many other worldly pleasures.
The Bible teaches us that the devil is the master of deception. Life is indeed short. And we should indeed enjoy it - and enjoy it in abundance! But the very things that the world labels 'fun' and 'enjoyment' are the very things that will lead to spiritual death.
If there's one thing I always say, it's that "Ultimately, the only thing in life that matters is your relationship with God".
Undoubtedly this disaster is just that, a disaster. But we could try and make something positive come out of this huge negative.
We could - and should - examine ourselves. Are we prepared to die? Suddenly? "..the Lord will come as a thief in the night." 1 Thess 5:2
Is your relationship with God all that it should be? Do you even have one?
If not, then it's not too late to start. Our God is a God of love and patience, and He is patiently and loving waiting for you to return to Him even right now... "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door , I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." Rev 3: 20
The way to turn to the Lord & to let Him into your heart, is to turn away from sin. Repent right now. Ask the Lord to forgive you from all your sins and to give you the grace never to committ them again.
And believe the good news! Believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins. That if you believe in Him, you will have eternal life! And then, passing from this world will be just a stepping stone to joys we cannot even imagine!
However, while we concentrate on our relationship with God, it is also important that we do not forget our relationship with our neighbour.
Jesus Himself tells us that the first and greatest commandment is to
* Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind
and the second one, which is like it, to
* Love your neighbour as yourself.
(Matthew 22:37-39)
Just three chapters down the line, the Bible (Matthew 25:31-46) shows us by what criteria Jesus will judge us on Judgement day. (see block on the right for passage)
Our passing into eternal punishment or eternal life will depend on how we have reached out to our neighbour.
Most of us live selfish lives, making money, being concerned about and sometimes even praying, only for ourselves - or at the most our families.
The Lord shows us very clearly that He expects us to reach out to ALL our neighbours, in love.
I received this very touching touching email from my close friend Chris Francis
"I think we as human beings convince ourselves that by contributing a few hundred or a few thousand dollars we have done our bit. I'm just so convinced that monetary contribution is necessary ... but totally insufficient ... and that we as human beings need to do more than that for other fellow human beings affected by a disaster totally beyond the control of any and all of us"
Join us in praying and fasting for the survivors, victims & their families every Tuesday for the next three months. Click here to committ yourself.
And do give whatever you can - monetary or otherwise to help the victims. Click here for more details.
"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
This year, I pray that you ask for and accept the grace that God gives to repent and believe in the good news.
I also pray that you ask for and accept the grace that God gives to reach out to the millions that are affected by the Tsunamis.
Blessings on you & your family,
January 2005
