Being complacent is dangerous. People can be so pleased with where they are in life that it can prevent them from attaining higher goals or being prepared for the unexpected.

If people are complacent, they probably won’t seek training or higher education, which could lead to a better, higher-paying job. They also probably won’t try to improve themselves socially, ethically, morally or spiritually.

I read a story the other day about some predictions that, sooner rather than later, there will be a major earthquake off the West Coast that will trigger tsunamis and cause tremendous loss of property and lives. More scientists are joining these concerns, saying it could happen in the next few decades. What surprised me was that from interview to interview, there seemed to be little concern or alarm. We don’t really know when this might occur, but I believe citizens have heard this so much that they have become complacent and will not be prepared if it occurs.

The Bible says the same thing will happen pertaining to the Lord’s return. We find the details in Matthew 24, comparing it to Noah and the flood. Starting in verse 37 we read, “As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man (Jesus). For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage (in other words, they were going on with their everyday business), up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”

I don’t know what I would exactly do if I lived on the West Coast, but I believe I would do some additional research and might even move away. But the truth of the matter is that if I was ready spiritually by being a Christ follower and misjudged this earthquake thing, I still would spend eternity in heaven. Another truth is that if I am not prepared spiritually for the Lord’s return — and one day, it will happen — I will miss out on heaven and face God’s judgment.

The good news is that I don’t have to gamble with this life. I can know that if I die or if I am still alive at Christ’s return, I can be assured of where I am going.