Indonesia was repeatedly pounded by a series of shuddering tremors on 13th September, a day after an 8.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra. In 24 hours, a total of four quakes and a series of more than 20 aftershocks ranging in intensity from 4.9 to 8.4 repeatedly set off tsunami warnings in Indian Ocean countries (The Straits Times).
Knowing that calamities happen everywhere, people might react differently. Some might not be bothered at all. Others might be thankful because it does not happen to them. And there are people who might think that the victims deserve such calamities. In other words, these people regard themselves as better people than the victims.
As a Christian, I do believe that calamities convey a divine message. I recall what Luke has recorded in Luke 13:1-5. He writes, “There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, ‘Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.’”
There are two accidents mentioned: the killing of the Galileans and the fall of the tower in Siloam. What can we learn from Jesus’ comments? Do not ever think that those who go through calamities are worse sinners than us! Calamities are a reminder for all of us. If we do not repent, we will perish in the same manner. In the same manner? Yes, perish suddenly without any opportunities to repent. Calamities remind us to live our lives carefully and to have a meaningful life. We never know when our lives story will be ended. I am sure no one of us wants to end our life's story with a tragic and regretful ending.
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