Let's be honest, Christians do a lot of good in the world every day, but we also spend a lot of time fighting over tiny theological ideas, philosophical positions, and practical applications. We have a tendency to
I've spent the last two days watching the local news coverage of this flooding disaster in Columbia and around South Carolina. Where my wife and I live, we were very fortunate. We had flood waters--lots of water--but our home stayed dry, our power stayed on, and our water continued running. Just across town, which in Columbia is less than 10 minutes away from us, the story is very different. The rains built up and caused an important dam to break, unleashing water on huge sections of the city. Muddy, unsanitary water poured into people's houses, completely covered cars, and destroyed businesses. Entire sections of road and bridges were washed away as if they never existed. Families were displaced and spent the night (and for some, more nights to come) in local high school gyms and church fellowship halls. Just a few hours ago, another dam broke and the same area of town that saw 6+ feet of water the first time may be in store for even more flooding. It's devastating. It's crazy. It's humbling.
Where is God in all this?
This weekend has reminded me of a truth I know, but often forget: God isn't in our theology. God isn't in our political opinions. God isn't even in our good intentions. God is God.
Now, don't misunderstand where I'm going with this. I do NOT think God caused this flood as some kind of divine act of retribution. In fact, I don't think God caused this flood at all. Weather is part of the world I believe God created (however that process unfolded), but weather is a natural occurrence that comes as a result of both the total creation AND our decisions in how we've treated that creation.
That being said, God IS present in this disaster.
-God shows up in the first responders who risk their lives to keep the heart of their community beating.
-God shows up in the people who evacuate neighbors with their boats.
-God shows up in the donations people make to the Red Cross relief shelters.
-God shows up when churches, schools, and recreation centers open their doors for the displaced.
-God shows up in the neighboring states that have already offered and sent help, as well as the help that is to come.
-God shows up when communities unite to rebuild and rebound as one.
-God shows up in the prayers offered by people all over the world for Columbia and the state of South Carolina.
God is here. God will not be ignored. It's the human, theological easy way out to blame God for disasters. It's the way of God to be present from start to finish when disasters occur, whether we acknowledge that presence or not.
I hate this weekend for the city I've called home for the last two-and-a-half years, but I know these people, and I know we'll all come together to participate in the rebuilding. I can't wait to see God show up in transformational ways that transcend theology, political opinions, or personal comfort zones.
We build our faiths around theology because it gives us a handle to hold and helps us make sense of what we see and experience. I love theology. It's far and away one of my favorite things to read and study. Goodness knows I have plenty of theological opinions. At the end of the day, however, Christianity is bigger than that. God is definitely bigger than that.
I know God is here. I know God weeps with us. I know God is excited for the unity and love and compassion and selflessness that has already been shown and will continue to be shown. This is where faith comes to life.
Please pray for the city of Columbia and for the state of South Carolina. As of the writing of this post, 9 families will never be the same because of tragic flood-related fatalities. The city and surrounding counties will be rebuilding for years to come.
If you'd like to help in a more tangible way and are unable to travel to do relief work, please consider donating to the Red Cross or United Way of the Midlands.
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