It was a Friday, August 25, 2017, at 10 p.m., Harvey makes landfall as a Category 4 hurricane when the eye of the storm comes ashore between Port Aransas and Port O’Connor, two communities on a spit off the coast of mainland Texas near Corpus Christi.
When the winds calmed, the rain kept falling, dropping historic amounts of water on southeastern Texas—with even more predicted in the next few days to follow.
The rising floodwaters forced tens of thousands to flee, overburdening emergency services and filling shelters. Hurricane Harvey’s costs may surpass the record $160 billion from Hurricane Katrina.
While Hurricane Harvey was not the worst hurricane to hit the United States (Hurricane in 1900), it gives the appearance that it was. Why? Because people build more, accumulate, and possess more. Therefore, there is more in a material way to be damaged or destroyed.
While I am totally sympathetic with the tens of thousands of persons who have lost property and loved ones, it gives pause as to when will we get it. (I was in Hurricane Hugo in, so I know what it is like to loose property).
What strikes me as odd is how the news media spins the hurricane story. They focus on the “emotional” aspect and “people coming together.” In other words, they package and market the misery of people. Why? TV ratings. This is shameful to me because it is a major distraction away from the reality.
With all of the money the news networks makes off of reporting war and the misery of people, one would think that they would donate billions of dollars to help victims of natural disaster, but we never hear of such a thing.
I also believe that the politicians say the wrong things to the victims. While I appreciate words of encouragement that “We will rebuild” it is not very realistic. Why? Because those areas are extremely vulnerable to hurricanes.
What also strikes me odd is the things people say during and after the storm. Most are more concerned about their material possessions than their lives and are needed to make them happy! They speak about what they lost in a material way. They repeat the same things over and over again to convince themselves that they will rebound. This is not the reality: Most do not rebound! I believe this is a major problem in the United States of America.
We have been conditioned to work and accumulate material things as if those things somehow make us “someone.” That the material things we amass validate us as persons. (Sadly, most of the persons I know in the workplace constantly brag about the houses they own (or how big they are) or the cars (or types of cars) they own. I look at them as if there is something wrong with them. It is the bragging! It is a “Look what I have and what others do not have.”
Yet, in an instant, it can all be lost; or, one could lose their lives and not enjoy what they amassed.
I believe that no matter what one’s income levels is, simplify. Stop amassing material things that you may never use or use little of.
A co-worker was bragging about all of the property he has in Texas and he was going to make millions. He was very excited about how he and his children were going to be set for life. Well, all of that property is under water. He is depressed and sad-faced.
Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21,
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Sadly, many do not heed these words. Especially, those who preach it from the pulpit.
Simplify your lives. Ask yourselves, “Do I need all of this stuff?”
The End Is Afar
Many people measure “Bible Prophecy” against what happens in the United States. That is, when bad things happen here, they somehow believe that the end is near. This is a selfish and unhealthy attitude because it ignores a much larger world and the suffering the people in it have experienced. These hurricanes that hit the United States is nothing compared to what billions in other lands have and continue to suffer. Many Americans have their heads in the sand in this regard.
Difficult times – indescribable times – are yet ahead for the entire world. We have not seen anything yet.
The Apostle Timothy said at 2 Tim 1-5,
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. (I recommend reading verses 6-9 as well)
Terrible times! This is not speaking of just the United States but an entire world! This is not talking about the loss of material things either. It is talking about how depraved the entire world will become. Perhaps natural disaster will turn people into selfish animals. I have witnessed how people behave when resources such as water, food, and fuel are scarce. Out of one corner of our mouths we speak of love and helping one another, but when it comes to getting that last loaf of bread or bottle of water, all of that goes out of the back door. It is every man for himself. I believe most people are full of it and play false to who they claim to be (having a form of godliness).
This world’s days are numbered and WILL BE destroyed. It has to be in order to make way for God’s Kingdom. (Daniel 2:44 and Matthew 6:10)
When I listen to people – especially those who claim to be godly – I do not believe they really believe this world is ending and a new one will replace it.
Yet, what happens is that many will continue to build with a view of a long life in this world for themselves or their children. It will all be in vain. Many have fallen asleep.
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24:37-39)
