It's been 12 years since Central Florida was impacted by an actual hurricane. Since then, there have been potential threats, cones of uncertainty, tropical storms, and excited weather forecasters. But no real impact.
Until yesterday.
By 6 pm yesterday evening we were asked to be off the roads, to be secured in the place where we planned to stay for the next 36 hours.
With whatever provisions we had prepared.
Earlier this week was the time to get bread and gas and water.
But earlier this week, the signs weren't as obvious. We weren't quite sure the hurricane would actually come.
Therefore, I ordered the camping stove and emergency radio on Amazon Prime too late to get it before the storm came. (Apparently 2 day shipping is actually paused in the midst of a hurricane.)
As the warning signs predicted, Hurricane Matthew showed up in Central Florida. Bringing with him a tremendous amount of rain and wind.
I'm grateful to be safely inside my home with a bathtub full of water and extra phone chargers, just in case.
Ignoring the signs of a hurricane could result in inconvenience, injury, or possibly even death for those directly in its path.
But there are other signs we should monitor with even greater concern. This week I thought of a parable that I had not considered for a long time. It is found in Matthew 25.
In this parable, the kingdom of heaven is compared to a a group of young women waiting for the bridegroom. Some prepared. Some did not. The bridegroom took so long, that they all fell asleep while waiting for him. But then the cry finally came. "Here's the bridegoom! Come out to meet him!"
Those who had extra oil could light their lamps again. But those who did not have extra oil could not and ultimately missed the wedding feast.
What is this oil? We are given insight into its symbolism in the bridegroom's sad response to those who were missing it. "Truly I tell you, I don't know you."
The story concludes with this sober advice: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."
Just like Christmas always comes, even though at times it seems so far. Like Spring triumphs over winter. And like hurricanes do not always cry wolf.
One day the King will come.
And then we will each remain in the kingdom we have chosen.
"This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live." Deuteronomy 30:19.
May we each choose life.
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