That was an ominous sound.

I was standing outside my home, here NW Washington earlier today, listening to the lahar siren test. It’s something that happens here on the first Monday of the month. It was very reminiscent of living in Minnesota where we had monthly tornado siren drills (during tornado season).

But this was different, because it was a powerful reminder of where I live.

You see, I live in the Orting Valley (just outside of Puyallup, WA) about 50 miles from Mount Rainier. It’s a beautiful mountain, or shall I say, an active volcano. I have read that it’s been classified as the most dangerous volcano in the continental 48 states but yet I rarely think about it as I admire it’s beauty; ominously towering over Orting. With a Minnesota tornado you can at least take cover in you home and hope for the best.

But not so with a volcano eruption here.

If and when Mount Rainier erupts, we can’t just take cover in our home, we will need to head out of town as fast as we can and get to high ground. I’ve been told we would have about 50 minutes to get to high ground from Orting. Sounds like plenty of time, but not when you consider that everyone and their dog will be trying to get out. Scary when one thinks about it, but even scarier, it won’t be long until the sound of that lahar siren recedes out of my mind and with it the warning as I go back to admiring a beautiful mountain.

But you, Christian, do you remember that there is a more powerful “warning” being sounded. I say “warning” but it is actually Gospel for those who believe. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Matthew 24:44 (ESV) Jesus is coming and this “warning siren” is not a test. It’s sounding now, we just don’t know when Jesus will arrive.

But this doesn’t have to be scary. Mount Rainier can be scary, but Jesus is life. His return means the establishment of his kingdom here on this earth. Jesus’ return means the end of sin and death and the power of Satan. Jesus’ return means peace and joy forever more. The warning siren being sounded is the Gospel so do not fear. But, the warning siren also means that Christians cannot be complacent. If I hear the lahar siren sounding and my neighbor does not, I am going to make sure they know about it.

But what about THE “warning”?

You have heard the siren; it’s sounding, but are you telling people the Good News? Don’t let people get hit by an unexpected blast of destruction because you have “better things to do”. Get out there and proclaim the Gospel; that people may live with anxious anticipation of the return of their Lord. Don’t get so caught up in the beauty of the Lord that you miss what his return means for those who are not ready. Don’t let the sound of the Gospel recede into the white noise of your life. Hear the Gospel as a “warning”/reminder for you to be ready but also for YOU to say something to somebody. Besides, if Jesus is Good News (and he is) then why stay silent?

Jesus is coming. You may have more than 50 minutes or you my have less that 5 seconds. We just don’t know, so sound the alarm and help your neighbors get to know Jesus.

May God be glorified forever and ever. Amen

The Pastor -|—