Carpe Diem

The bus arrived early and soon our eyes were yielding to the desire to close. To be honest, we remember little of the trip to Pompeii but we will never forget Pompeii. Considered one of the best preserved ancient sites (others being Ephesus and Delos), Pompeii’s preservation is because it was almost instantly covered in 25 feet of volcanic ash in 79 AD. The volcanic Mt. Vesuvius was considered extinct so the city of Pompeii with 25,000 inhabitants enjoyed a typical Roman lifestyle. The sea at its feet, the rich volcanic soil all around and the beautiful Mt. Vesuvius in the background, what could go wrong? Yet on Dec. 24, 79 AD, the eruption began. The initial panic subsided when only a few hours later, the eruption seemed to end. Life for many went on as usual but then the huge eruption (similar to Mt. St. Helens) buried the city in 25 feet of volcanic ash. Many died in their beds, others frantically trying to find a boat to take them out to sea and still others running for their lives. It must have been quite a scene as many had not heeded the warning, assumed life would go on as before and did not buy the opportunity to find safety.

Amazingly, for over 1600 years no one bothered to excavate the ruins but simply returned to farm the rich volcanic soil, which not only covered Pompeii but filled in a huge section of the sea. Not until the mid 1700’s did excavations begin. Today over 75% of the ash has been removed to expose the streets and floors and walls of houses just as they were the day they were buried.

As you wandered this 66-acre site, you cannot help but realize how quickly one’s life on this earth can come to an end even though it is seemingly beautiful today. The account of King Herod in Acts 12 comes to mind who one day seemingly had it all and the next, “an angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not give God the glory” (12:23). Or how about Annanias and Sapphira in Acts 5 who were part of God’s work yet due to a lie, immediately died.

Life can be going very well but we must never presume that it is forever or even for another day.