The recent ice storm here in Harrison and surrounding area is the worst in years. Power is still out to most of those in outlying areas. It has tested our resolve and called on our creativity, just to make it through until power is restored. It has reminded us again of the power in nature; a nature which was created and is overseen by an omniscient (all knowing), omnipotent (all powerful), and omnipresent (everywhere present) God.
We were more fortunate than many, in that our power was restored after about one and one-half days. Many will probably be without for as much as two to three weeks. After the power is restored there will continue the clean-up, which will probably last well into the spring or summer.
I have observed that an ice storm can be beautiful and yet very destructive. I can go outside our apartment and simple focus on the way the trees and shrubs, loaded with ice, sparkle in the sunshine. If I temporarily forget the wider effects of the storm, I can admire the beauty of a tree decorated with nature’s icy ornaments. But when I think about the damage it has caused, its beauty is overshadowed by it's destructiveness.
By The Way there are things in life that can appear beautiful, but in the end they are very destructive. The Scripture declares in Hebrews 11:24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of the king of Egypt's daughter.25 He chose to suffer with God's people instead of enjoying sin for a short time.26 He thought it was better to suffer for the Christ than to have all the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking for God's reward. (New Century Version)
What beautiful surroundings Moses could have continued to enjoy, what an opulent lifestyle he could have continued to indulge in, but he knew that the beauty and opulence were for a short time. He chose the right way over the bright way. Who among us would want to continue to have the beauty of the "ice show" at the expense of our safety, our warmth, and our ability to get around?
Beauty indeed may be in the eye of the beholder, but as Christians we must never be gullible enough to believe that external beauty always tells the whole truth about a person or an event. We must always be on our spiritual guard in order to see both the external and the reality behind it. If we are not fully attentive we can suffer a spiritual setback and be hurt or even derailed from our God given mission. There is beauty in creation and in all of nature, but we must learn to respect it, as we respect the God who created it. God is still in charge. He is God before the storm, during the storm and after the storm.
We were more fortunate than many, in that our power was restored after about one and one-half days. Many will probably be without for as much as two to three weeks. After the power is restored there will continue the clean-up, which will probably last well into the spring or summer.
I have observed that an ice storm can be beautiful and yet very destructive. I can go outside our apartment and simple focus on the way the trees and shrubs, loaded with ice, sparkle in the sunshine. If I temporarily forget the wider effects of the storm, I can admire the beauty of a tree decorated with nature’s icy ornaments. But when I think about the damage it has caused, its beauty is overshadowed by it's destructiveness.
By The Way there are things in life that can appear beautiful, but in the end they are very destructive. The Scripture declares in Hebrews 11:24 It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of the king of Egypt's daughter.25 He chose to suffer with God's people instead of enjoying sin for a short time.26 He thought it was better to suffer for the Christ than to have all the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking for God's reward. (New Century Version)
What beautiful surroundings Moses could have continued to enjoy, what an opulent lifestyle he could have continued to indulge in, but he knew that the beauty and opulence were for a short time. He chose the right way over the bright way. Who among us would want to continue to have the beauty of the "ice show" at the expense of our safety, our warmth, and our ability to get around?
Beauty indeed may be in the eye of the beholder, but as Christians we must never be gullible enough to believe that external beauty always tells the whole truth about a person or an event. We must always be on our spiritual guard in order to see both the external and the reality behind it. If we are not fully attentive we can suffer a spiritual setback and be hurt or even derailed from our God given mission. There is beauty in creation and in all of nature, but we must learn to respect it, as we respect the God who created it. God is still in charge. He is God before the storm, during the storm and after the storm.
I remember the ice storm of 1999. Again the trees and grass were beautifully adorned with a thick layer of sparkling ice. But I was foolish enough to think I could drive my pickup down the hill from the house where we lived at the time. I almost went over a large bank when the truck started sliding, I fell several times, my son and I got so cold we were almost frost bitten, and I could not get chains on the pickup no matter how hard I tried. I experienced the power behind the beauty. But because I did not respect that power I crawled back to the house, cold, bruised, and frustrated. May that not happen again.
My prayer is for God’s protection on those who are helping to restore essential services, and that all of us may learn the lessons God is teaching us through the storm.
My prayer is for God’s protection on those who are helping to restore essential services, and that all of us may learn the lessons God is teaching us through the storm.
Happy huddling
BLOGTHOT: IT IS OK TO ADMIRE BEAUTY, BUT BETTER TO RESPECT THE POWER BEHIND IT.
1 comment:
Well put! God Bless
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