When Tsunami's Come

     I've been glued to the news for the last couple of day watching events unfold in Japan.  The powerful earthquake and tsunami following has killed a tremendous number of people and devastated whole cities along the coast.  It is interesting to me that "tsunami" is a Japanese word meaning "harbor wave".  Wikipedia says that 195 of the events have been recorded in Japan.  Of the top 10 tsunami's for number of deaths, Japan has four on the list, 1826, 1896, 1792, and 1771.   Sadly, the most recent gives them another one!   Japan has therefore, endured and rebuilt from five of the top ten tsunami's.

     Picture two fighters in a boxing ring, one of them is you and the other we'll just call "life".  The bell rings and you're both going at it.  You're doing great, confidence sets in, and it even looks like your opponent is no match for your abilities.  In your mind, you can coast to victory!  That is when it usually happens...  the earthquake, the punch to the gut...  hurts doesn't it?  In life, that might be sickness, job change, some serious inconvenience on the road to your victory.  Then, just when you're down a little, the tsunami comes, it's a right cross you never saw coming...  job loss, divorce, financial meltdown, or death of a family member.  You're suddenly on the canvas, bleeding and can't breath well.  It's looks bad, like it might be over...  the referee starts counting, one, two,  Why not just quit and end this stupid fight?  Why go on?  Because you'll never know the thrill of victory if you quit!  You'll never know what good you can do, not just in your own life, but the lives of others!   Think it's just too hard?  Take a minute and check out this video with Nick Vujicic.

     I liked the movie Rocky!  Near the end, after all his training and work, it looks like the fight is over, Sylvester Stallon as Rocky, is down, bleeding, not sure he can make it.  But he does, he gets back up, and goes on to win the fight!  Keep your focus as a Christian, and get back up!  This morning at church, we sang "Today is the Day" by Lincoln Brewster.  The first verse says...

      I'm casting my cares aside
     I'm leaving my past behind
 I'm setting my heart and mind on you
                     Jesus
      I'm reaching my hand to yours
     Believing there's so much more
Knowing that all you have in store for me is good

    Don't let a tsunami in your life keep you down!  I'll end with 1 Corinthians 15:57  "Thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."