Through Cyclones, Earthquakes, and Tornadoes

In recent weeks we have witnessed dramatic pictures coming from Myanmar, China, and our own country of devastation caused by cyclones, earthquakes, and tornadoes. Tens of thousands of people were suddenly ushered into eternity...sadly, most without knowing Christ. Millions of others had lives turned upside down...a few will never fully recover. Property damage is almost beyond comprehension.

The question I am often asked is, "Is God saying anything to us through these catastrophic natural events?" Let's turn to the Scriptures to seek an answer. First, we know that God has spoken strongly before through catastrophic natural events. It was with a flood that God destroyed the world during the days of Noah, promising afterwards to never again use a flood to destroy all living things. We also know that God used an earthquake to destroy the families of the rebellious Korah, Dathan and Abiram (read Numbers 16). And God used a strong storm to get the attention of Jonah. God even spoke to the children of Israel from a mountain burning with fire surrounded by the quaking of the earth, thus driving fear into their hearts (read Exodus 19 and 20).

But we also know that at times when we most want God to speak through a natural event, then He chooses to speak in a quiet voice, much as He did with Elijah (read 1 Kings 19). So, is this a "Moses Moment" or an "Elijah Moment?" Should we be anticipating God's voice, or does He remain silent?

A text I have shared with many in recent days is from Romans 8:20-22 which reads: For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Personally, I think we are hearing a lot of groaning today. I think we are hearing the natural world crying out in a multitude of ways that the time for its redemption soon draws nigh. The occurrence of strong earthquakes and destructive tornadoes has increased exponentially this past year. Volcanoes, some of which have been silent for years, are bursting forth. I think the earth itself is anxious for those days described for us in Isaiah when the curse will have been removed.

I know that some will be quick to label these events as evidence of "global change", previously known as "global warming." But I tend to see the hand of God at work. I recall the statement of Jesus to His disciples: There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains (Matthew 24:7-8). When a woman's contractions begin, a birth is imminent. As our earth increasingly groans, could it be a sign to us that a "birth" is imminent - that birth being the coming of the King to His Kingdom?

As we wait we can help those whose lives have been shattered because of these groaning - people in Myanmar, Central China, Kansas and Oklahoma, Iowa and Minnesota. We can be the Body of Christ reaching out to them as He would do.