Hurricane Florence: A Spiritual Analogy

I’m going to start this post off by saying that I read something similar to this on Facebook.  I certainly am not looking to take credit away from the person that wrote the Facebook post but it did get me thinking about writing to a greater depth about it.

I live in Virginia Beach.  For the past week or so, I’ve been glued to the news watching this Tropical Storm named Florence morph into a Category 4 major hurricane.

A week ago, the meteorologists couldn’t really predict where it would make landfall but my area was in that dreaded red cone that you see on the map when they anticipate who may get the brunt.

As it was getting closer and gaining speed it looked like it may hit very close if not in our area surrounding Virginia Beach.  This past Monday, we actually experienced being evacuated in some areas which has never happened for as long as I’ve been here and I’m a native so this was very nerve wracking.

Of course, now everyone is running to the gas stations to fill up on gas.  Headed to the ATM’s to make sure they have cash.  And then, the dreaded grocery store.  I say it that way because it becomes a madhouse very quickly.

People are scampering all around grabbing multiple packs of water, bread, snacks, batteries and the lines are filling up fast.  Every conversation is about the oncoming hurricane or if there isn’t conversation, there is that look of panic on some faces when they aren’t able to buy as much as the person in front of them or behind them because that particular store had an empty shelf where they sought a specific item.

When faced with a possible natural disaster, people run for the nearest store, gas station or bank, to prepare.  All because the meteorologist has predicted that it’s coming your way.  There is no question about what to do.  You just do it because you know it’s how you will survive.

We are provided this information days well in advance of an approaching monster-like storm.

The analogy to this scenario is, how would we prepare if we knew Jesus was to return tomorrow?

We don’t know an exact date or time yet the Bible does tell us that Jesus will return and it will be soon:

Hebrews 10:37 For in just a very little while, “He who is coming will come and will not delay.

Revelation 3:11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it.

Revelation 22:12-13 Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

These are just a few verses in the Bible that tell us that Christ will return one day.  He will come like a thief in the night.

But the question is: Are we as prepared for the Lord’s return as we jump to prepare for a hurricane?

I believe that to be a very thought provoking question.  One that deserves a lot of soul searching.

In a hurricane, you may prepare very well to survive with human needs.

When the Lord returns, will you be prepared for eternal life in the heavenly realms where there are no needs?

If the Lord were to come back today, is your heart in the right place?  Is your soul safe because you believe in Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with Him?

I’m not here to preach because that never got anyone saved anyway. But the way we live our life should be testament enough to our salvation and enough to where others see it and want the same type of peace, joy, and happiness.

Once again, the Bible doesn’t leave us without instruction on how we should prepare to meet Jesus one day.  So we can’t say we didn’t know. 🙂

Revelation 14:12 Only those who have been transformed from the inside out will be able to stand the “brightness of His coming”

Psalms 24:3-5 Friends, be faithful unto the end, and you will be given a “crown of life”

Ultimately, my belief to which is supported by scripture, is to honor and give glory to the Lord.  This means a personal relationship with Him.  Being a religious person doesn’t mean you have a relationship with Christ.  Going to church doesn’t mean He lives in your heart.  I believe, as a Christian, it’s a spiritual journey with Jesus walking with you in life, everyday, as your friend.  You look to Him for guidance.  You ask Him to give you wisdom.  You pray to Him daily and have faith that He hears and answers your prayers.

If a life with Christ is lived in that way, I am confident that if He returned today, He would recognize me because we spoke everyday like best friends.  That’s the relationship He wants with you.  And I believe that’s how you prepare for His return.

Isn’t it interesting that to prepare for a hurricane one of the things we buy is bread.

And isn’t it also interesting that the Bible tells us Jesus is the bread of life.

God Bless!