si allen at si ondoy

September 25, Friday night, Filipinos especially those who reside in Metro Manila and Rizal area did not have any clue of how depressing the happenings would be the next day. I was in Montalban the whole Friday for a speaking engagement. When I went home Saturday morning I did not know that many places have already been flooded because of the continuous rain shower. After staying a couple of hours in my house to prepare for my next commitment which is a conference to be conducted in a hotel near Boni MRT station, I headed on my way.

I was finding my way to get to the Cubao MRT station without crossing the flood when I saw these group of children taking a plunge in the flood between Farmers Plaza and Farmers Market. I can't describe how I felt when I saw how dirty the 5-foot water these kids were enjoying. Good thing there was another way to get to the station and that is through the overpass which is crowded by people. Too crowded that it would take you 5 seconds before you can make another step.

I saw how the heavy rainfall brought by Ondoy affected millions of people in the areas I have mentioned. With my own eyes I saw how high the flood went up to and how it caused heavy traffics around the metro. Numerous cars got drowned in this flooding that I saw along EDSA in Ortigas while I was on the MRT. Some vehicles were lucky not to suffer from floods but they got stuck in heavy traffic because they were sandwiched by flood waters.

Christine reyes, a celebrity, mentioned during an interview via 3g how fast the water level went up. She said in less than an hour it rose up to the ceiling of the first floor of her house in Provident Village in Marikina. She was on the roof of her house when she was interviewed.

For me, there is a message from God we need to understand here. We need to be reminded. First, everyone should know that WE WILL NEVER KNOW when will be the end. The Bible has mentioned how will it be during the coming of Christ but never did it mention the date of Christ's return. Although we have been given signs that will serve as clues but honestly, nobody can tell when will we breathe our last breath - except the FATHER in heaven. Have you ever heard of the prophecy that the end of days will be on December 21, 2012? Well, I won't buy it!

Second, regardless of who we are, all of us will be judged. One may be the most popular, the richest, the most good-looking person who has ever lived on earth, but still he will face judgment. And once found that Jesus is not his Lord, then he will be punished without reservation.

In a blink of an eye - that's how fast it will be as far as the coming of Christ is concerned. God holds time in His hands. Surely He is in control. And we cannot beg Him to give us a minute, an hour, not even a second just for us to be able to prepare ourselves and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and be saved. Once He says it's time, then it's time.

We were clueless the day before the typhoon devastated the metro. Same thing with Christ's return - we are doing regular activities. But those who will be found patiently waiting for Him, will enjoy the benefits of their labor. Like a thief - that's who Jesus will be like.

Finally, see all those brand new cars which got damaged? Those convenient stores which were robbed by several people who had nothing to eat during the calamity? How about those houses which collapsed because of the typhoon's impact? Millions of pesos worth of possession got washed away in the flood. I hope that most precious possession you have won't vanish just like your earthly treasures. I am talking about your life; God values it so much. May your life be found in His hands for safe keeping.

Everything on earth won't last. But HIS WORD IS FOREVER. Please prepare for His coming. I don't know when will it be; nobody knows actually, not even JESUS. But I do hope you would keep your faith and keep waiting.

Well, these are things that I got reminded of during Ondoy's attack.