I read briefly how the death toll from Hurricane Ian has steadily risen each day. Sadly, most of those deaths could have been avoided if only folks would have evacuated when told it was time to get out. Those who prepared for it and followed evacuation procedures lived, those who did not died.
Most thinking people wonder why folks ignore the warnings. Having lived in the Florida Keys for many years I can tell you the mentality down there is baffling. I would wager that the number one reason is they think it is somehow macho to “ride out a hurricane” and brag about it. Others want to be there to protect their possessions. Are a few material things worth your life? A few say they cannot afford to leave, but there are hurricane shelters that house and feed those who cannot afford to travel or are prevented from doing so for health or other reasons free of charge. There is no excuse for not leaving that makes any sense to me.
When I was young, I rode out Hurricane Camille and actually attended a hurricane party. It was one of the worst experiences of my life and 259 people lost their lives in that storm. I vowed never to do it again and whenever one was predicted to head my way, I always got in my car or a plane and got the heck out of there. But when the forecast for Hurricane Katrina came, all computer models predicted it would move in the diametric opposite direction of the Keys towards the Florida panhandle. So, we decided just to stay put. Against all odds, it turned and headed south towards us and sat offshore of Key West. As it grew in diameter, and we were lashed by powerful bands of punishing winds and waves we began getting pounded throughout that day and night. We were hit hard, losing our 450-foot dock, and having a huge tree slammed into our house while we were inside. I raced from window to window watching the destruction outside. I can only imagine how a direct hit would have looked.
As I was thinking of this today, I couldn’t help but think of how unprepared some are regarding their salvation and how they seem determined to stay the course and go it alone. God gave us a free will and some use it to spurn sound advice. They seem intent upon riding out “Hurricane Death” alone.
My question is, And then what? God warns us repeatedly of the consequences of rejection of His righteousness and free salvation that only comes through the blood of Jesus. Those who will not listen and then act by surrendering their lives to Jesus will be swept away by the furious wrath of God and eternally separated from Him and His peace and goodness for eternity.
Don’t stubbornly refuse. No one can make you leave during a hurricane, and no one can make you follow Christ. As I stand at the judgment, I will welcome the sight of Jesus standing there and telling all of creation this man’s (me) sin debt was paid by Me and he is welcome in my home forever.
I’m sad about those who will face Almighty God without those sins already being paid for and forgotten. Come to the safety of Jesus who calms the storms and choose not to ride out Hurricane death. Have faith brethren.
Mark 4:35
A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”