Tough Learning in Tough Times
SEP
Not a day goes by now that I do not cherish my current situation. As I write I sit in an air-conditioned room using an amazingly fast computer on an incredibly fast internet connection inside a building that I know is safe despite the many days of inclement weather, which includes the threat of hurricanes and hurricane spawned flooding and tornadoes. Going just a week (yes, call me wimpy if you like) without these things tends to make you appreciate them so much more.
This year our general area of the world surrounding the gulf of Mexico has been plagued with a series of events that have caused many to question themselves, their place in this world, God and His benevolence. The reactions and answers have been mixed. On a personal level I witnessed a wide variety of reactions and I am pleased that most of them could be placed in the "positive" column if we were to chart such things. Yet, not everyone had this "positive" reaction. While most were gracious and tried to look beyond self and use this storms as an opportunity to serve others, introspection brought out pride and selfish considerations in others.
Similarly, most of the people within the circles where I live and breath were overwhelmingly God affirming, feeling his ever-present hand of protection despite the storm. They are more than willing to attribute the turnings of the storm and the lessened wind that raked over us to the loving hand of a loving God. I am aware, however, that this is not everyone's reaction.
Typically, you will find, when it comes to God and these types of situations, one of three reactions. These reactions will usually reveal the spiritual inclinations of a persona and point you toward their spiritual moorings or lack thereof.
First, there are always those who feel that God speaks in the storm. Just so we are clear, I am not saying, though I believe that some would, that God created, guided and let loose this storm because he was angry at someone in some place. This goes a step or two beyond what I would say and imputes some man-made motive to God and any action or involvement he would have in this storm. It is one thing to say, as does the scripture, that God rules in the kingdoms of men and that he is sovereign over all, including nature. That is, however, wholly different than saying God takes a specific action for a specific purpose using specific elements of the natural world to destroy.
What I am saying is that God can use the storm, which occurs because we live in a world where it is necessarily possible, to teach people lessons and even answer prayers. When Christ and his disciples set out on the Sea of Galilee only to face a raging and horrible storm, Christ would calm the storm and use it to teach them a lesson about faith. The Bible does not attribute the storm to God, but it was a great and wonderful lesson about how to face the storms of life by leaning upon Him who controls it all. The first type of reaction sees the lessons of the storm and heeds it.
Second, are those who say that God speaks in the storm, but it is a message of hatred, not love. Of course this is a swipe at God. Storms like Irma and Maria are horrible atrocities which make it clear that if there is a God that he certainly does not love us. Basically this type of thinking sees man, rather than God, as all knowing and thus God is subject to our questioning and trial, rather than the other way around. Many will even go so far as to say that it proves there really is no God.
Third, I think there is a final group that does not seek a larger significance to the storms or trials, but instead see it as simply "part of life." There is no real message other than the messages of practicality and common sense that go along with living in a place that is hit by such weather patterns. For instance, when the water rises, get to higher ground. It's just good practical advice.
Basically, these three types can be reduced to those who see God in all things, those who see nothingness in God and those who see God in nothing. I would like to think I am always in the first group though at times my behavior is more reflector of one of the other two. Yet I strive each day to grow and see clearer who the creator of this world works in it for my betterment. I hope you do as well.
This year our general area of the world surrounding the gulf of Mexico has been plagued with a series of events that have caused many to question themselves, their place in this world, God and His benevolence. The reactions and answers have been mixed. On a personal level I witnessed a wide variety of reactions and I am pleased that most of them could be placed in the "positive" column if we were to chart such things. Yet, not everyone had this "positive" reaction. While most were gracious and tried to look beyond self and use this storms as an opportunity to serve others, introspection brought out pride and selfish considerations in others.
Similarly, most of the people within the circles where I live and breath were overwhelmingly God affirming, feeling his ever-present hand of protection despite the storm. They are more than willing to attribute the turnings of the storm and the lessened wind that raked over us to the loving hand of a loving God. I am aware, however, that this is not everyone's reaction.
Typically, you will find, when it comes to God and these types of situations, one of three reactions. These reactions will usually reveal the spiritual inclinations of a persona and point you toward their spiritual moorings or lack thereof.
First, there are always those who feel that God speaks in the storm. Just so we are clear, I am not saying, though I believe that some would, that God created, guided and let loose this storm because he was angry at someone in some place. This goes a step or two beyond what I would say and imputes some man-made motive to God and any action or involvement he would have in this storm. It is one thing to say, as does the scripture, that God rules in the kingdoms of men and that he is sovereign over all, including nature. That is, however, wholly different than saying God takes a specific action for a specific purpose using specific elements of the natural world to destroy.
What I am saying is that God can use the storm, which occurs because we live in a world where it is necessarily possible, to teach people lessons and even answer prayers. When Christ and his disciples set out on the Sea of Galilee only to face a raging and horrible storm, Christ would calm the storm and use it to teach them a lesson about faith. The Bible does not attribute the storm to God, but it was a great and wonderful lesson about how to face the storms of life by leaning upon Him who controls it all. The first type of reaction sees the lessons of the storm and heeds it.
Second, are those who say that God speaks in the storm, but it is a message of hatred, not love. Of course this is a swipe at God. Storms like Irma and Maria are horrible atrocities which make it clear that if there is a God that he certainly does not love us. Basically this type of thinking sees man, rather than God, as all knowing and thus God is subject to our questioning and trial, rather than the other way around. Many will even go so far as to say that it proves there really is no God.
Third, I think there is a final group that does not seek a larger significance to the storms or trials, but instead see it as simply "part of life." There is no real message other than the messages of practicality and common sense that go along with living in a place that is hit by such weather patterns. For instance, when the water rises, get to higher ground. It's just good practical advice.
Basically, these three types can be reduced to those who see God in all things, those who see nothingness in God and those who see God in nothing. I would like to think I am always in the first group though at times my behavior is more reflector of one of the other two. Yet I strive each day to grow and see clearer who the creator of this world works in it for my betterment. I hope you do as well.
posted by HP | 3:00 AM
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