The storm

Storm chasers risked their safety in efforts to record on film the horror and devastation of the tornado that ripped through a suburb outside of Oklahoma City, OK this week. The images attempted to capture the furry and power of an almost 2 mile wide “beast” roaring through a town, wreaking havoc and devastation through everything in its path. It was difficult to get an exact gauge as to how close the film crew was to the actual tornado but as the storm approached closer and closer to the crew, they remained focused on the task at hand. They held their ground as long as they could before they hopped in their car and sought out a place of refuge to continue filming. During the recording, the audio included the growling of the 200 miles per hour swirling winds devouring everything in its way. In addition to that you could hear brief comments made by the storm chasers to one another. “Hey man, watch out. There is a car coming.” As they partnered together, they stepped out of the pathway of the car and remain filming at the same time.

It was astounding to me to hear their attention to the details of the traffic and the consideration of the risks involved with standing in the middle of the street…. And yet the even greater present danger of the tornado apparently was somehow less of a considerable risk to the person holding the camera.

As Christians we are not to judge others but to love and accept people as Christ has loved us. But if being honest about what is really in our hearts, there is an obvious correlation to the storm chasers. Simply put: it is easier to point out the cars in the road that are clear, recognizable failings and faults that we see so evidently in others, all the while ignoring the risks involved with the storm within ourselves that has the capacity to devour and devastate with immeasurable more force.

Prayer: May we judge less and love each other more. May we find strength and grace through the power of God to work on “straightening” our own shortcomings. Let us cheer each other on and stir in each other’s hearts the renewed sense that God is able to calm any storm and make us new creations in His image!  ^“I pray that out of his glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Eph. 3:16)