IN HIS GRIP: I KNOW WHERE I'M GOING

Japan, like the Philippines, is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire – an area where large occurrences of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.  It is a normal thing for Japan to experience more or less 1000 earthquakes a year with magnitude ranging from 4.0 to 6.0. But knowing how advanced Japan’s technology is, it’s a given that they would figure something out to avoid or at least lessen the damage that these earthquakes could bring. They’ve actually designed their buildings to withstand earthquakes.

Tsunami isn’t foreign to them either. The term tsunami is actually Japanese and they have “tsunami science and response measures” following tsunami incidents since 1896. They have built many sea walls about 15 feet high. They’ve also set up floodgates to redirect the water from incoming tsunami. These are all set up to protect the people in the coastal areas.

But what happened to Sendai City in Japan during the 2011 9.0 earthquake, which was followed by a tsunami illustrated that all these preparations were flawed. The earthquake did have minimal impact, but it was the giant waves that wiped off the city. The preparations that they’ve set up may have succeeded in slowing down the waves, but it did not prevent major destruction and death. It was a first in the Japanese history that a tsunami has hit an area as populated as Sendai.

I’d like to briefly describe to my blind friends what I’ve watched from the clips in Youtube.com. There was an incoming train of waves that moved very fast and soon reached the city proper. The strong dark currents carried off the ships and yachts that were parked at the docks, into the highways. The waters carried away automobiles, and toppled down trees and electric posts. I soon heard a cracking sound and saw smoke of dust emerging from several houses. Seconds later I found out that these houses were being uprooted from the ground and washed out by the strong currents. I saw several cars that tried to cross the highway but got caught in the waves and were also carried off. It was horrid.

To make the matter worse, the blow also hit their nuclear power plants which caused health and environmental treats not only in Japan but also in neighboring country, including the Philippines. It was reported that 15,884 were confirmed dead, thousands were badly injured, and thousands were still missing.

Being in the Pacific Ring of Fire, what happened to Japan could happen to the Philippines at any moment. If I would compare our disaster preparedness to Japan’s, we are definitely way far behind. We don’t have many building and houses designed to withstand massive earthquakes. Our sea walls are not durable (and not that high anyway). If that 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami happened to Manila, we might surpass that 18,000 death toll. We might get wiped off the Philippine map!

It is hard to imagine what I’d do if that would happen. This is definitely bigger than the fear of heights or flying cockroaches. Just imagine a wall of rushing waves with a current so strong that it could literally tear you to apart!

What would I feel? Would I be anxious? Would I be screaming in my head, “Oh God, what about our house, my stuff? What about my family? My bag! My Wallet! I don’t have spare clothes!”

Then I recalled the earthquake that happened in 1990. It was one of the strongest earthquakes that hit Luzon. I think I was in prep school at that time. I was watching an afternoon cartoon with my younger sister, Megan. My mom was napping upstairs. My aunt, who was just recovering from a surgery, was the one looking out for us at that moment.

I didn’t really feel the tremor. My aunt suddenly stood up declaring an earthquake, called out to mom, and told us that we had to get out of the house. All I knew was that we had to go out fast. The odd thing was that my sister and I couldn’t find our slippers!

We went outside (Meg and I were without slippers). I knew that although I never went out without slippers, I wouldn’t mind standing outside in barefoot since it was an emergency. But nonetheless our aunt told us to put our little feet on hers. The three of us stood there hugging each other, little feet on top of my aunt’s not-so-big ones, until the earthquake was over (my aunt’s stitches hurt that night, by the way).

Looking back, I don’t remember feeling fear. I felt a rush of adrenaline, maybe, because people around me were panicking, but not fear. Maybe because deep inside I knew my aunt loves us and I trusted that love and knew we will be okay. In the midst of people panicking, there was peace. In the midst of fear, there was trust.  

I look now at what David has written in the book of Psalm during times of turmoil (paraphrasing a bit) – God is my “refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So I will not fear when earthquakes come and mountains crumble into the sea… (Psalm 46:1-2). He is my Lord, “my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid (Psalm 27:1).” “He is ‘my God,’ my times are in His hands (Psalm 31:15).” David knew his God. God’s faithfulness in his life has already been tried-and-tested, so why would he fear anything or anyone?

I do not know the number of my days. I do not know when or how I would die. Who knows? I could be walking and get struck by lightning on a sunny day. There are things that will always be beyond my control.

Let’s read more…

Psalm 33:16-20 “The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory—for all its strength, it cannot save you. But the Lord watches over those who fear Him, those who rely on His unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.”

Psalm 20:7, “Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.”

I do not put my trust on earthquake-proof building or establishments. I do not put my trust on 100-feet tall sea walls. I do not put my trust in nuclear power, or in the advancement of technology.  I put my trust in the knowledge that the God who created the universe – the God who is bigger than the biggest tsunami, greater than the most massive earthquake and more powerful than any weapons of warfare – is the same God in whom I put my trust, the God who holds my life. This knowledge gives me the sense of peace that I need in times of troubles and uncertainties. 

So would I be screaming my lungs out when a massive earthquake hits this place right now? Hmmm probably not, I might just cause more panic to others if I did. But if it did happen, I know I may either live or die. But there will be no room for doubt, fear, or anxiety because no matter how things turn out, I am certain where my final destination is – to Heaven, where God is. Because that’s what Jesus said in the Bible, “…whoever believes in Him shall not perish (in hell) but have eternal life (in heaven).

I’m taking Jesus’ words for my salvation. I know where I am going.