DISASTER PREPAREDNESS!

According to Tropical Storm Risk, a consortium of experts in tropical forecasting, the 2018 hurricane season will be another above average one. The season could see about 15 tropical storms, seven minor hurricanes and three major hurricanes.

Although the topic is still under debate, many people believe animals are also able to sense an impending hurricane. Sharks swimming out to deeper water, birds "waiting out" storms or animals moving to higher ground have all been reported before storms.

Some animals are believed to be sensitive to the low frequency sound waves emitted by hurricanes. They can also detect the slight drops in air and water pressure that signal a storm's approach. Researchers reported that they found birds were sensitive to the air pressure changes that accompany storms. As storms approach, the birds often land and wait for the storm to pass.

However, not all scientists are convinced that animals flee to avoid storms or earthquakes. The reason the animals are fleeing the storm, the sound, air pressure or water-pressure changes, may be in dispute, but it is a fact that some animals can sense an approaching hurricane.

Alan Rabinowitz, director for science and exploration at the Bronx Zoo in New York, says animals can sense impending danger by detecting subtle or abrupt shifts in the environment. Rabinowitz believes "earthquakes bring vibrational changes on land and in water while storms cause electromagnetic changes in the atmosphere. Some animals have acute sense of hearing and smell that allow them to determine something coming towards them long before humans might know that something is there."

Despite the scientific evidence that natural disasters are inevitable, it troubles me that many in religion ignore these clues and fail to prepare for disaster. Some believe disasters are forms of punishment from the gods and ought to be accepted as such. Hence, in order to avoid disaster, keep pleasing the gods. It is from this perspective, some refer to disasters as “acts of God”.

In the ancient spiritualities of many indigenous traditions, humanity is inextricably linked to nature. In these animistic cultures, nature is not merely respected, it is adored. Concepts of sun gods, and rain gods result from this thinking. In addition, prayers to the cardinal points, to wind, fire and water are also notions that can facilitate a deification of disasters.

Although Christians are not animistic in their worship, some unconsciously embrace animistic thinking when they see disasters as God’s way of punishing others. Such a view is fraught with prophetic arrogance. The view assumes insight into the mind of God to bring judgment on others. The view also suggests that the prophet has earned the right to be spared from God’s judgment and has even earned the right to experience God’s miracle of deliverance.

Such arrogance and pride are incompatible with preparing for natural disasters. Instead, we should heed the admonition of Proverbs 6:6, “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its way and be wise... it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” In essence, ants know their vulnerability and prepare for disaster.

All summer, when food is abundant, they stockpile their goods in enormous storerooms – sometimes even in their own bellies – so they can thrive during winter, rainfall or flood when they are denied from foraging.

Simply put, ants think winter, all summer, and think summer, all winter. In other words, during the non-threatening season, they prepare for the storms. In addition, during the storms, they use their resources carefully. Ants live with an awareness that life has both good seasons and bad seasons. Neither season lasts forever – but we must be prepared for both.

For us, one of those bad seasons is the hurricane season – between June and November each year. Preparation will require much more than prayer. To expect a miracle, and not prepare, is irresponsible. Like ants, work with a plan – secure your shelter/home - work within community – purchase foodstuff – and pray.

Pray for wisdom as to how you can help others prepare. Pray for those who risk their lives to keep you informed of the danger ahead. Pray for the institutions who protect the less-fortunate and more vulnerable. Pray that the plans of those who prey on others will be thwarted. YES...PRAY!