Hurricane Katrina

Yesterday I followed on CNN the news about Hurricane Katrina. According to a CNN story, she left at least 56 people dead yesterday, including 50 of them in one Mississippi Country. She was one of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the northern Gulf Coast of the U.S. in a half century.

I certainly feel sympathy with the tens of thousands of Americans who are currently refugies because of it, as well as for the friends and families of those who have died. Many people have lost nearly all their earthly belongings because of Katrina.

If I were living in New Orleans, I certainly would consider moving to a safer city. Reports from 2 days ago indicated the possibility of a worst case scenario here of the whole city being cataclysmically destroyed by flood waters.

On July 11, France colleague Matt Glock posted a blog titled Danger. His church was going through a summer series on the theme of water and that Sunday's was about what happens when water becomes dangerous.

As I walked around my Paris neighborhood with my son last evening, hundreds of people were sitting around cafés and restaurants enjoying the balmy weather. In watching the CNN hurricane reports, I had forgotten that it wasn't storming here. As is often the case, out of site means out of mind.

I am reminded of Peter's words about the Day of the Lord. In 2 Peter 3:3-15 (New International Version of the Bible), Peter writes:

"First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as if has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and with water. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of the God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation.

People in powerful Western cities like New York, Washington D.C., London, and Madrid have had the secure existences shaken by terrorist bombings on 9/11 or later. However, we quickly forget and get back into our materialism. I wonder what events it will take to shake up Paris and France to the reality of the Day of the Lord.