Warning Warning Warning!

While Hurricane Ike was closing in on Galveston Texas (Ike reached Galveston on September 13, 2008), the National Hurricane Center repeatedly warned the inhabitants of the area that death was imminent to those who refused to evacuate. Though the majority of the citizens heeded the warning and left the area, approximately 20% of the people refused to listen and stayed behind. For whatever reason the 20% took a gamble – a gamble that could cost them their life (and to an approximate 112 – 138 people, it did).

Looking at my own life I can see specific moments that I failed to heed the warnings that were given to me. In one particular instance I feel like the self-inflicted victims of Hurricane Ike. After the storm had passed and the damage was done I could only find myself scratching my head and saying, “What was I thinking, how could I have been so wrong?”

If the people who lost their lives in Hurricane Ike had just fled the scene they would still be alive today. The warnings had been given and the local government had even provided an escape route. The National Hurricane Center and government had done all they could do; it was now up to each person as to whether or not they would escape the destruction headed their way.

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”  I Cor, 10:13 (NASB)

Rather it be the word of God, the promptings of the Holy Spirit or our God given conscience (Rom 2:14-15), God will always warn His children when they are getting close to danger and give them a way of escape. Unfortunately, some of us choose to ignore the warnings and continue in the path of destruction.

No matter how the citizen’s rationalized their choice in ignoring the warning, the truth was still the truth. Whether or not their intentions on staying were justified, the truth could not be changed; destruction would surely come to those who failed to heed the warning.

Is there a hurricane bearing down on you? Don’t ignore the warnings!