Somewhere in the collision of water temperature, air temperature and pressure, wind shears and direction, and sub-oceanic geography – the atmosphere shifts – and a storm is birthed.
It happens several thousand times per year, in varying intensities. And few notice, besides fishermen and weather-men.
Sometimes, this collision conspires to make land – and then more people take notice, at least a few. Sometimes, this collision conspires to make land – and brings hell with it – and now the world notices, and is rendered speechless.
Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) – Philippines – November 8, 2013
Over the water, miles from civilization, the air has become angry – and though it is hardly noticed by man… the God of quiet Peace is not caught off guard.
Thunder crashes, lightning flashes and darkness settles in, taking over… the Light of the world has overcome.
The wind shears low and hard, picking up and meeting the water that is just warm enough to make it spin… Father breathes, His Divine breathe giving Life.
Waves upon waves build up, swirling and thrashing, crashing and tumbling – getting bigger with the wind – moving closer… His Grace is a tidal outpouring, rolling gently over us.
Wall upon wall of water eclipses the land, extending the ocean beyond it’s boundaries… He is a River, a Stream that gives Life.
The sky is full of unnatural and chaos – trees, cars, wood, metal, debris, bodies… He is a Restorer, a Giver of order.
The flood rises and rages, sweeping up everything in it’s path… He extends His hand and sets us on a Rock.
Rain is relentlessly pounding… His Love falls, never ceasing – His Reign never ending.
Everything on all sides rattles and sways, the ground quakes underfoot… He is firm Foundation, and plants our feet.
Injury and sickness pervades – blood flows… He is Healer.
Loved ones are separated… He is Comfort, the Reconciler.
In great irony, though water is everywhere, there is none to drink… He is our True Drink, our Living Water.
Stomachs scream and wrench in hunger, there is nothing to eat… He is our True Food, our Bread of Life.
Flames for warmth and energy have been doused and extinguished… He is the Eternal Fire, and cannot be put out.
Exhaustion takes over, bodies just can’t move another inch… He is Strength.
There is no power, no electricity, no energy… He is the Source, all Powerful.
Communication is down… He communes with us.
Transportation is lost… He puts us on wings of eagles to soar.
Homes have been reduced to piles of sticks… In Him we Live and move and find our being.
Family is missing, some torn apart… Father welcomes us into His Family.
Loneliness falls like a fog… We are not alone.
Everything is gone, utterly destroyed… What God has built nothing can tear apart.
Death settles, casting it’s long shadow… He is Life, Eternal – where death cannot remain.
Prayers whispered, prayers screamed… He is listening, hearing each one.
Hearts are broken… His is too.
God, are you good?… Good is My nature, it is who I am.
Tragedy awakens us to our fragility, our smallness. It has a way of raising questions too. In the midst of our tragedy, we cling to what is True, the only Truth there ever was, or ever is:
God is good. He is Love. He has nothing but good intentions toward His creation and His children. He is Redemption. He is already Redeeming. His heart breaks for loss and crying and pain and death. He has overcome with Love and Grace and Mercy and Joy.
I don’t have answers either. I don’t know why things like typhoons are allowed to wreck creation and lives. But I trust He who created, and Loves and makes good out of bad and cleanliness out of messes and all things new and Life out of death. Like the lady in the picture above, I cling to Jesus – because He is all I have.
“Typhoon” in Pacific nation languages can be translated to mean “to roar” and “to blow furiously.” As a person of redemption among the People of Redemption – I find it serendipitous that a deadly force of nature that takes life and breaks hearts – will be redeemed by the Lion of Judah who Roars, and Who’s Love blows furiously and unendingly.
“Mabuhay” means “long live” in Filipino. Long. LIVE.
Long Live indeed. In Christ we are, and will. Today I declare this over the nation and people of the Philippines.
Mabuhay.
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I am personally and deeply invested in these people and their nation. They are beautiful, marvelous creations of God. I love them and their country. In 2011 I was blessed to spend 10 days in the Philippines, specifically in Cebu City and Arapal. The village of Arapal houses about 100 people, many women and children. Much work had been done there to plant homes, churches, schools and livelihood programs. All of that infrastructure was decimated by Typhoon Yolanda. Thankfully, every life was spared, as all inhabitants gathered together in a recently donated building and survived as their world crashed down on top of them, literally. They are proud, strong people. They will rebuild. They will need your help.
Many, many wonderful organizations exist that are already mobilizing efforts to help the Philippines. I can personally endorse 3 of these, that we support. Please help. Please pray. Please give. Please go.
“Natatamo natin ang kagitingan sa mga sagabal na string napapagtagumpayan” – We gain the strength from the obstacles that we have overcome.
Amen.
{Image Credits: Self and Buzzfeed}
