Hello ICC Family!
The storm that blew through on Monday night brought back memories of the rainy season in Thailand. Several times each week there would be so much rain that would come down in just an hour that streets would temporarily flood. The drainage systems just couldn’t keep up. The biggest difference between Monday’s storm and Thailand for Laurel and I was that we didn’t lose power this time. In Thailand our electricity would go out every single time it rained that hard and it would instantly be incredibly hot and humid. We spent many nights desperately trying to find some way to get comfortable and get some sleep. The choice was to stay in bed (well - on top of your bed) where it was comfortable but miserably hot. Or sleep on the porch or balcony where you might feel a tiny bit of breeze, but be eaten alive by mosquitos. Or lay your pillow on the tile floor where you would be cooler, but incredibly uncomfortable. We tried all of these options for many years. But then I heard what a friend of mine did with his family in that common situation, and we started doing that. They would just get in the car and drive around in the air conditioning. I wouldn’t get any sleep, but at least the rest of the family did!…
We didn’t have any wind or hail damage at our house Monday evening. And the electricity didn’t go out. But others were not so fortunate - including some from our church. When we experience trials like this and natural disasters of any kind, it is helpful to remember a few things…
Natural disasters are actually unnatural. In the beginning God’s creation was good and perfect and there was nothing destructive to be found. It is only after the fall - after Adam and Eve’s sin - that death and destruction entered the world. And since then, the earth has dealt with floods and fires and earthquakes and storms of every kind - groaning under the weight of sin’s curse.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Romans 8:22
Natural disasters remind us what we heard in Exodus 6:6 just last Sunday. That the Lord is God and we are not. He holds everything in his hands - including this world and our very lives. Whether people are Christians or not, disasters have a tendency to point people to Christ. In times of trouble, when we as humans are helpless, how natural it is to search for hope in a truly higher power - the Lord God Almighty.
Because of this, natural disasters are an incredible opportunity to minister to and bless others. We do this in many ways, but it must start by grieving with those that are grieving. Only then can we look to try to meet tangible, felt needs, as well as spiritual and eternal needs. This is our calling and commitment to our brothers and sisters in Christ, and our opportunity to be salt and light to our neighbors around us.
One of the ways we can minister to each other is to remind each other that these bringers of destruction and pain are temporary. There is a new heaven and new earth coming that will be perfect. It will be just like the original garden we were given to live in, and natural disasters will not be a part of it. Praise the Lord for the vision we are given in Revelation 21 where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain. And the electricity (the LIGHT) will never go out. Ever. Again! Maranatha, Lord. Please come quickly!…
Please continue to lift up those that are dealing with damage from the storm. If you hear of needs that are bigger than one family can handle, please give me a call or shoot me a text. But be proactive in reaching out to each other and caring for each other. We will definitely be lifting up these things tonight at our prayer meeting. I hope to see you there!
Blessings to you all. And know that I’m praying for you!
Pastor Aaron
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