One of the interesting things about raising kids is their fresh eyes on the human experience and how the world works.
Sometimes, their questions can challenge our settled thinking and spark our own dormant curiosity. With the recent storms that have blown through our area, we’ve had a hint of the incredible power of nature. Even huge, strong trees were overcome by the wind. A 10-year-old asked me why God can’t keep that from happening.
That is a question that requires some mental work even for an adult. I am comfortable with my own theology that makes sense of this puzzle, but trying to provide an explanation for a child is something that I’m not sure I did a great job doing.
A related issue this brought to my mind is the strength of God’s love. This is an encouraging reality for many who have been discouraged by storm damage, loss of electricity and all the other disruptions we’ve experienced.
For some, the damage is more than just trees and buildings. Often there are important memories attached to these properties.
I visited with one of our members who had significant property damage from the storm. Going through the storm and coping with the damage it caused was a traumatic experience for her, as it was for many in our community.
She shared with me, however, about a bright spot in the process of working through the situation. Staying with friends, she went out on the deck and as the sun came up on a beautiful morning, she felt God’s presence with her in a powerful and reassuring way.
While we may not see God, we can know God and we can experience God’s love in a very real, life changing way. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8: “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NIV) It is encouraging to know that God’s love for us is more powerful than any storm.
God may not prevent the storms, but God is always with us in the storm. Through those experiences we learn important lessons about life’s priorities, about ourselves, and about God.
One benefit of observing the force of nature is that it gives us a little hint of the power of the God who created nature.
We also get to see people demonstrate the effects of God’s love. When we lend a helping hand we reflect the character of God that is growing in us. Each act of love makes it easier for those around us to experience God’s love.
1 John 3:18 in the Good News Translation says, “My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.”
Thank you to all who have demonstrated your love for your neighbors during these recent days. It is a blessing to live in a community where this principle is lived out so well.
Jeff Fugitt is the pastor of Cassville United Methodist Church, located at 601 Gravel Street in Cassville. He may be reached at 417-847-2328 or cassvilleumcpastor@ gmail.com.
