Alaska is called the Last Frontier.  Those of us who live here understand why this is an accurate label.  There are newsworthy happenings like substantial earthquakes, moose walking in the middle of downtown streets, and 20-inch snowfall with double digit below zero temps. These are part of the normal reality in the great state of Alaska. But still, Alaskans can be surprised by events that, while not out of the ordinary, do bring about extraordinary circumstances.   

On July 16, 2025, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake occurred near Sand Point, Alaska.  A tsunami warning was issued quickly afterward for Unalaska, Sand Point, King Cove, Kodiak, Old Harbor, Homer, and Seward. These locations are spread over hundreds of miles but are all open ports that are susceptible to tsunamis.  One of the most notorious and destructive tsunamis in the U.S.  followed the 1964 Alaska earthquake.  Massive destruction in Anchorage, Seward, Valdez, and elsewhere occurred due to sub tectonic plates grinding together below the earth’s surface.  In those days there was no way to communicate regarding the impending tsunami.  The only signs were the thorough draining of the 900 feet deep Resurrection Bay and the continual shaking from aftershocks.   

So, this summer, on July 16th our family, kids, parents, grandparents, and grandkids were in a secluded bay across from Homer when the earthquake happened.  The cell phone coverage there is spotty at best.  But we had a handheld VHF which was able to pick up the tsunami warning.  We had less than a couple of hours to decide what to do.  Do we leave camp and jump in the boat to get back to Homer?  It would take more than one trip.  Do we get some survival things together and climb up the bluff that we were camping at the base of?  Do we wait and see what the reports were from towns closer to the earthquake epicenter to see if there was indeed a tsunami coming?  The reality was that any path we chose had its consequences, but no matter what we chose, we needed to make a decision.  One of our grandchildren, who was just old enough to understand some of the situation, was quite concerned.  Freaking out would be more accurate!  We decided to wait and see what the reports were from other port towns, and if we needed to, we could trek the whole circus up to higher ground.     

As the minutes passed, we heard there was no damage reported in any of the other ports.  The warning was downgraded to an advisory after a few hours. In the end, there was no tsunami of concern.  I was not disappointed.  But this was an excellent situation to talk through emergency contingency plans and how to make the best decisions.  We had good conversations as adults about different possibilities and future trip planning.  As for the children, this was also a very teachable moment.  We were able to encourage them that the tsunami was not a threat!  We also used this experience to teach about our faith in God, and how prayer is one of the best things we can do in times of uncertainty.  God does hear our prayers!  We explained that we usually do not worry about natural disasters, but do we plan for them, and in some cases practice for them just in case?  This was a great learning moment for everyone from grandparents to the 2-year-old.  

These can be strong spiritual moments.  We are all aware that births, deaths, severe illness, marriages, loss of a job, and natural disasters happen quite regularly.  When they do occur, they tend to get our attention with regards to being prepared or changes we want to make in our circumstances.  It is relatively easy to make decisions after an event has happened, but do we look ahead to see what the future could hold and make preparations?  Granted, we need to depend on God for our future needs.  But are we prepared for the unexpected?  Are we heeding God’s plea to be ready?  Are we thinking as Scripture repeatedly tells us that the return of the Lord Jesus is coming soon?   

This got me thinking of the parable of 10 virgins and their lamps found in Matthew 25:1-13.  The parable describes the Kingdom of Heaven.  The example given is that of a wedding feast and 10 virgins who would serve as bridesmaids to stand in honor of the bride.   In Jesus’ day, after the betrothal agreement the groom would go and prepare the house to welcome his bride.  This could take a significant amount of time.  The bride would stay with her family and wait for her husband to arrive and bring her to his home with the wedding attendants for the ceremony.   

In this parable Jesus tells us that the bride is waiting, along with ten virgin bridesmaids, for word that the groom is coming.  Jesus explains that five of the virgins were wise and had enough oil in their lamps/torch to be able to see well enough to make the journey to the groom’s house.  But there were five other virgins who did not take the groom’s coming seriously by planning ahead and being prepared with enough oil.  Then word came that the groom was coming, so the foolish virgins asked the wise virgins for some of their oil.  The wise virgins told them that there would not be enough for them if they split the oil.  Each was responsible for their own preparations for the coming of the bridegroom.  The foolish virgins left to go purchase oil for themselves.  Jesus tells us in verse 10, “while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.  Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’  But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’  Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”  It is clear from Jesus’ teaching that not everyone will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Those who hear the voice of the bridegroom and are prepared will enter.  Those who have not prepared or taken seriously the warnings given will be shut out of Heaven.  We are to be spiritually prepared to enter Jesus’ Kingdom.  A saving relationship with Jesus is what is necessary to enter into His eternal Kingdom.  Knowledge of Jesus is not enough.  Good memories with Him are not enough.   

We need to heed Jesus’ warning that no one knows the day nor the hour of His return.  There will come a point when it will be too late to submit to Jesus’ Lordship.  We should listen to His voice and respond to His call to us now.  Do not wait until it is too late, and there is a spiritual “natural disaster” that catches us unprepared.  This will be either death or the second coming of the Lord Jesus.  Now is the time to listen and respond to Jesus’ plea.