Reflection on the Tsunami

Sometimes it takes a giant earthquake and a sudden catastrophe to make people see a need.

As I watched the first footage from Japan of the black wave of water pouring across the landscape, I was horrified. A few hours before, I had begun to read the news reports and thought I understood what was going on, but I found myself unprepared as I watched the tsunami sweep away houses and cars and boats and treasures and memories and normalcy and loved ones. That dark swell of water was an unstoppable challenge to all the preparation and security of which we are so confident.

I watched and tears came as I thought of the grieving, hurting, and death that came so quickly to so many people. So many of those infinitely hard questions for human beings to answer rise up to be wrestled with. So many whys take you by the throat in that moment.

What does it mean when so many die so suddenly in a country where so few know or have had the chance to really know who Jesus is? If He is the way, the truth, and the life, what happens to those thousands who are suddenly ushered into eternity?

Lord Jesus, please have mercy.

I do not know where the death toll will stop. It seems to rise every day as we watch the news unfold. It is already at multiple thousands.

That number, though, made me remember another number. You see, Japan does need our help because of the earthquake and tsunami, but Japan has needed Christians to reach out for years before this. Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. In 2009, it is said that suicide rates were over 30,000 for the twelfth consecutive year (Japan Today). To how many catastrophes is that the equivalent? Yet, because that darkness washed over these individuals silently, we missed it.

Oh, Church, please do not miss it. When the relief work is over in Japan, our work will not be done. Please do not let your relief monies relieve you. We have work to do. Sometimes it takes a giant earthquake and a sudden catastrophe to make people see a need.