This morning, I awoke to flashing lightning and thunder. The lightning was amazing and fairly constant for some time. I enjoy watching storms so I made my coffee and headed to a chair near the window to watch the storm rage around me – safe in my house. (A caveat: for those who came across this blog looking for info about end times – this is not you spot. I am in awe of God but not reading any signs into the storm).
I was thinking that we often feel we are in control of our world and all that happens to us but when a storm passes, suddenly things are put into perspective. We are so small in relation to the storm and it is humbling. The wind blows, the lightning flashes, and the thunder echoes all around us and there is nothing we can do to stop it. It is the pure power of nature and thus the pure power of God.
I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The LORD does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses. -Psalm 135:5-7 (NIV)
A small secret of mine – I listen to radio preachers on AM stations from time to time. I often did this on my early morning trips to Memphis during my time at seminary. I always enjoyed listening to their wild messages. One such message sticks in my head and it was right after the outbreak of tornadoes in April. This preacher was saying that God was punishing people through tornadoes for their actions. In the midst of the suffering from the storms, a message of a vengeful God was being preached!
Anyway, I don’t see that in the weather. I think God created all things and set the systems that control weather in motion. I think we live in a fallen world and so there is suffering but I do not believe that God sends storms to punish people.
Instead, like so many other things, I find storms to be an opportunity to worship the glory of God. In the midst of the storm, there is a sense of something greater than yourself – something almost incomprehensible and that is enough for me. I am in awe of storms and I am in awe of God’s power.
Okay, this is a bit of babbling but just some random thoughts from a thunderstorm.
I love them also and am in complete agreement with your opinion on Him setting it all in motion in the beginning and does not reign down storms as punishment. I too am enthralled with storms and love to see the beauty and His power in them.