16 Aug, 2011
Without Warning
When asked about the recent, tragic stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair, in Indianapolis, IN, fair spokesman, Andy Klotz, explains that everyone thought they had more time. "The information we had, with our meteorologist on site with constant contact with the National Weather Service, was that we had about 30 more minutes before any kind of rain or storm blew in," said Klotz, in an interview with the CBS Early Show.
An estimated 12,000 people were waiting for country duo, Sugarland, to take the stage when an announcement was made that a storm was impending, and the concert may be postponed. Fair officials recommented individuals to take cover in nearby buildings but the evacuation was not yet mandatory. Four minutes later, an unexpected wind gust hit, causing the stage riggings to shift and the entire unit to barrel down on the crowd below. As of Monday, five people had died and 45 were sent to area hospitals, with injuries.
(Story courtesy of CBSnews.com, picture courtesy of Google Images)
Mark 13:32-37
But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning — lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about being prepared?
If there's one thing we know, as Christians, it is that God is coming back, and every day we are one day closer to His return! Praise His Glorious Name! And, although people constantly try to figure out and make predictions about when our Lord will return, His Word is clear that no one knows. Therefore, we must always be on our guard. We must live, daily, in a way that is pleasing and glorifying to Him; as though He were coming today. This passage gives us fair warning and we will have no excuse on that day that Jesus returns. Will you be found ready and waiting, or will you be caught off-guard, wishing and thinking that you had more time?
How can I connect today's story and God's Story scripture to my life?
- Take some time to consider the question: Will you be found ready and waiting for Christ's return or, if Christ were to come back today, would you be wishing and thinking you had more time? Why? What could you be doing that would better prepare you for Christ's return?
- The first step in being ready for Christ's return is having a relationship with Christ. If you do not have a personal relationship with Christ and have never accepted Him as your Savior, what are you waiting for? Seek out a Christian friend, youth leader, or Campus Life director and talk to him/her about what this means and how you can be sure that you're ready for Christ's return.
How can I connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and my story to others?
Talk to your friends about what happened at the State Fair in Indianapolis and how it would have impacted them (had they been there, or known someone who was a victim of the tragedy). Would you/your friend have taken other precautions if you had been warned about the impending storm? Share with your friend what the Bible says about the Second Coming of Christ. God has told us in His Word that He is coming back and that our judgment is impending. What could/should we be doing with that information? Talk about it with your friend. Is it likely that we will be like the fair officials, in the end, saying, "I thought I would've had more time?"
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