Water Everywhere

A rainbow appears over over a Whataburger sign that was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey in Refugio, Texas, Monday, Aug. 28, 2017. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP) (Nick Wagner/AP)

Flooding, earthquakes, sinkholes and many other natural disasters are the kind of events we all dread. My greatest fear is being swallowed in a sinkhole – with no way out, or being buried alive! I think we can all agree we do not like it when we are absolutely without any control over life threatening natural disasters. It diminishes us, and reduces us to focus on the essentials. Life becomes about survival, security, and taking the next step. For many life will never be the same – ever. Loss, does that. It reduces us to desperate thoughts about life – hope is removed. It is hard to wrap our minds around the devastation to so many lives subsequent to earth shattering events.

As I think about the recent devastating rains in Texas, and the visuals of water everywhere, I wondered how I could best master the negative thoughts that often come with seeing overwhelming damage. How can we encourage others who are caught in natural disasters? What can we say to them to keep hope alive? What would you tell them were they in your community? We know there will never be another worldwide flood. God promised that. So, why did God allow the vast flooding in Texas? Why did He do that?

Part of my own growing understanding was advanced with a picture of a rainbow. A rainbow is a promise of God. He promised not to flood the earth again. And, He won’t. However, why did He flood the earth? What was His reason for doing so? It was a means of judgement. Now, I am not saying He is judging or punishing the people of Texas – I am not. However, please consider the possibility that God is reminding all of us of the consequence of sin – the internet and worldwide coverage of natural disasters means the reminder is for all of us – everywhere. If God is reminding us of the fate of the earth in the future – not a flood, but coming destruction and judgement – then what should our response be? What should your response be? How can we use this to encourage others? How can we use it to restore hope? How can we share this story in a way to show others the goodness, love, care and mercy of God? Will you? Can you? And, how?

• By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast. He loads the thick cloud with moisture; the clouds scatter his lightning. They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world. Whether for correction or for his land or for love, he causes it to happen. "Hear this, O Job; stop and consider the wondrous works of God. Do you know how God lays his command upon them and causes the lightning of his cloud to shine? Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge (Job 37:10-16).

• And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth” (Genesis 9:12-17).

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