Are You Ready?

Today the largest earthquake in recorded history hit off the coast of Japan, spawning a massive tsunami that has been felt all over the Pacific Rim.  Losses will be difficult to estimate, but it certainly looks tremendous.  I am struck by a feeling you don't often see in catastrophic news reports: relative calm.  Few would doubt the resolve of the Japanese people, and their engineering is among the best in the world, but I think the underlying reason for such calm is simply preparedness.  To the extent it was possible, the Japanese were prepared.  Buildings held, bridges stayed steady amid a deluge of water and debris, and the Prime Minister reinforced this sense with a call to remain calm.  Not much can be done to stop a tsunami, but even then the people immediately went into action with emergency plans that have been in place and rehearsed for years.  Many people have lost their lives, but with nothing that could have been done differently, it seems easier to put it in God's hands.

In reality we control very little in our lives.  Sometimes we need to see skyscrapers swaying or 23 foot waves to remind us of this!  Nevertheless, we do have a responsibility to be prepared.  Are you ready for a fire?  A flood?  Do you have life insurance?  What about spiritual matters?  Are you ready to respond if someone asks you a question or challenges your faith?  Think about these things ahead of time.  When you've done all you could beforehand, it is much easier to place the rest in God's hands.  Ultimately, he has the final say anyway.