That familiar lump started developing in the base of my throat as I drove through the aftermath of the F-4 tornado in Louisville on my way to my parents’ house. My three young children were happy-go-lucky in the backseat, oblivious to the devastating scene right outside their window. I passed the same two churches I’ve passed a million times before, but this time at the sight of them the lump fell and tears started to roll. Signs in the church yards beckoned—help was here, all were welcome. Right there in the seeming chaos I felt the presence of God so strongly…Jesus saying to these families and to me, “I am here. I am here in the midst of your destruction. My presence is here, and that is all that you need.”
Looking at concrete slabs and trees piled on homes that held memories for families I’ve never met and remembering the horrible loss of life—so many families in that one little area changed forever—Jesus said, “I am here, and I will be their portion.”
As I continued down the road, I felt Him reminding me that I
walk in the midst of that kind of destruction everyday—lives pressed beneath
the heavy weight of broken hearts, broken families, addiction, and emotional
trauma of every kind. On the outside it
doesn’t appear as horrifying as the wake of the tornado, but on the inside
people’s lives look just like this. And
Jesus says I am to carry His presence into those horrifying places.
“You are the light
of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before others
. . . .” –Matt. 5:14-16
We Jesus-followers are to be in the midst of the destruction
as those churches on Highway 14 are with the Good News that a Savior is
reaching out to them with arms wide open.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and
learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for
your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is
light.” –Matthew 11:28-30
