Tsunami Warning!

Scripture: But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:25-27

I am still awe struck and horrified every time I watch the video of the giant wave that came into Japan after the earthquake last month. The Japanese had been trained that during an earthquake to go out into the street until the quake ended to avoid any building or things that might fall onto you during the quake. In some locations the Tsunami warning sounded 3 minutes after the earthquake and in some places people only had 20 minutes to prepare before the actual wave hit the coast. The warning issued encourages them to get to higher ground. Some got in their cars and drove inland in hope to escape the water and ended up caught in traffic jams instead of actually finding refuge. Either way, as I watch, I find myself asking the question that many do, what in the world would you do?

Tsunami warnings are hardly applicable in Tennessee, although we do at times experience tornado warnings and threats of flooding and other natural disasters. We try to be as safe as possible, but I am often reminded that we are all at the mercy of God. It only takes one moment of terror to change our entire world. Americans can hardly even begin to relate to the devastation from which the Japanese people are trying to recover.

Spiritually however we all have devastating events that shape our faith. It may not be a giant event like the calamity in Japan, but we have waves of emotion that can debilitate us and leave us asking, what in the world are we going to do? In John Jesus told us that he would send us a warning signal. The Holy Spirit is our Tsunami warning system. His Spirit within us sends out warning signs that we need to get to higher ground! You know exactly what I am saying. Something inside of you starts to rise, an emotion, a feeling that you know if fully embraced will leave you devastated. But we are to find peace and higher ground during those warnings.

So the next time you feel that warning in your Spirit you need to stop and move toward higher ground. Make a conscious effort to go to God in prayer or just go to a place where you can sit silently in God’s presence. Stop that conversation. Stop that way of thinking. Stop that downward spiral into that low ground. Stop what you are doing and head for higher ground, so that you can find the peace that the Holy Spirit has promised to bring us. Stop and seek God’s presence, so that your heart will not be troubled and you will not be afraid.

Leslie Stephens
McMinnville, TN

Prayer: God of all things, help me to recognize the warnings your Hoy Spirit gives to me, so that I can be free of fear. Teach me to head for your higher ground, that place of security and peace. Amen.

Prayer Tip: Sometimes you may be where you can’t pray out loud. Prayer is sometimes just sitting in the lap of Christ. You do not have to say anything, just take refuge there.