On the Feb 27, off the coast of Chile, an massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck and it has caused the city of Concepcion to move 10 feet westward. (see quote from Live Science posted on March 9)
“The massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Chile more than a week ago moved the city of Concepción at least 10 feet (3 meters) to the west, seismological measurements indicate. The violent temblor — the fifth most powerful quake ever measured — shifted other parts of South America as well, from the Falkland Islands (located just east of the southern tip of South America) to Fortaleza, Brazil, situated on that country’s northern coast. The quake occurred off the coast of the Maule region of Chile in one of Earth’s seismic hotspots where the Nazca tectonic plate is squeezed under, or subducted below, the neighboring South American plate. Tension builds up as the plates move against each other, and earthquakes such as the one that struck Chile on Feb. 27 relieve these pent-up stresses.”
Similar occurances have happened before such as the one in 1989.
“During the 6.9 magnitude 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which occurred along the San Andreas Fault in California, the Pacific plate moved 6.2 feet (about 2 m) to the northwest and 4.3 feet (1.3 m) upward over the North American plate.“
In other news reports, it was reported that the chilean earthquake has shifted the earth axis. It looks like global warming and adverse weather changes are inevitable. Thus the warm places become warmer, and the cold places become colder. Or it might be in a reversed order - the warm places become cold, and the cold places becoming warmer.
It reminds me of the Biblical account in Genesis 10:25, “…One was name Peleg, because in his time the earth was divided…” and in Revelation 6:12-14, “I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like a sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as late figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. the sky receded like a scroll, rolling up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.” It seems that the earth movement has always been there since the beginning of time. It will continue to move in a faster pace until it is unsuitable for human inhabitation. As we look at the rate things are happening these days, it does convey a picture that the movement of the earth is coming very close to the stage where it is unbearable for human to live in it. This will mean that we are now going to experience greater difficulty to adjust to the rapid drastic climatic changes.
What does this have to say to us ordinary people?
The one and only thought that has immediately come to mind is The End Is Near. We probably are at the treshold of the End Times. Many people believe that The End Times is a long period of dispensation. If may not be so as we observe the happenings in the everyday world. There are more earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tyhoons, cyclones, floods, landslides, forest fires today than before. In Matthew 24:4-8, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains.” No wonder we are feeling more difficult each day to cope with the reality. The pursuit of greater learning and more education is supposed to alleviate pains and provide better solutions but it has become a fallacy.
What shall we do?
I wish to quote a meaningful story/article which I have received in the internet. It is very meaningful and certainly does depict the intention I wish to convey here.
An Illusive Dream
A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered. Sure enough, the horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding and riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible. Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, “Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself.”
The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health , time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love.. One day when we look back, we will realize that we don’t really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed. Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition . Life is definitely not about work! Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of life. Life is a balance of Work, Family and Personal time.. You have to decide how you want to balance your Life. Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts. Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence. So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. Life is fragile, Life is short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a balanced lifestyle and enjoy Life!
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
When we see the signs of the times, we need to ask ourselves one crucial question, “What the the eternal value?” The signs are clear but our eyes are blurred. We should be living with eternity in mind, and leaving behind a perpetuity legacy. We should not be overly disturbed by the changes of this world rather to rely and focus on the unchangeable Lord. The more the disasters and calamities occured, the more urgent for everyone of us to get closer to the Lord. There is no short cut except to spend time with HIM daily. Amen!
(March 10th, 2010 posted in another blog)
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