storm

In the Old Testament book of 1st Kings the following appears in chapter 19,
 ¹¹ The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.”
   Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. ¹² After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

In the aftermath of a earthquake and a hurricane on the eastern coast of the US we are left wondering where God is in all of this.  God is not in the earthquake, nor is God in the wind, but God is here.  God is in the helping hands rescuing neighbors, God is in the family members housing those whose basements are flooded, God is in the emergency personnel aiding those for whom these events were tragedies, and God is still here and will be here no matter what comes around the bend.

When tragedy strikes we can lean on the reality of a God who loves us and wants what is best for us, a God we have come to know through the gentle whispers found in times of calmness and safety.

~Pastor Cynthia