Better to Go Up

"Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:22, NIV.

Driving through the wreckage of a tsunami devastated neighborhood, the local driver pointed out a two story house. Without emotion he told the following story.

My brother lived next door to that house. When the tsunami came, he and his family tried to outrun the water in their car. We found the car several blocks away with my brother and his family inside. They drowned in the car. Their neighbors didn’t try to run. They climbed to the second story and lived.

He paused for a moment, and then said, “It’s better to go up.”

Millions of people continue to live in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami of 2004. They are haunted by memories and uncertain about the future. Like the brother trying to flee from the tsunami, many of the survivors are running from the spiritual disaster they see crashing in upon them. If only they will realize that running is not the answer. Jesus will save them once they stop running, admit their need, and look to Him. The driver was right. It is much better to go up.

Pray that:

Many tsunami survivors will stop trying to earn salvation, look to Jesus, and be saved.

God will continue to call volunteers to help rebuild the communities devastated by the tsunami.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.