“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Matt. 5: 14- 16 NKJV
I stepped out into the sunrise the morning after Hurricane Milton hit Tampa Bay. Eerily, there was this sense of calm and quiet. It was as if a few hours ago, the memory of the Hurricane battering the building doors and windows around us was just another bad dream, and now I’ve woken up. The landscape almost felt paradoxically serene in the backdrop of the storm’s devastation. As I scanned the horizon, in awe of the power this natural phenomenon unleashed, there was this surreal feeling, at this moment, nothing else mattered. All my daily worries before Milton came into town vanished into thin air. What I thought were important, which sometimes caused me anxiety and sleepless nights, all of a sudden were inconsequential. Putting into perspective, what mattered most at that moment was that we were all alive! All I can say is that I am grateful to God.
Those early hours of that morning were bittersweet. Quickly our neighbors, community members, and friends from church, those who can, were walking or driving by checking in on us and each other. Strangers passed by, asking if we were okay. There were people a few hours ago. who would not even be in our purview, but at that moment, they became part of our community. There was this sense of belonging in the middle of this wreckage, Quickly our church community jumped into action helping cut trees that had fallen onto roofs. We were receiving reports of powerlines down, streets blocked, and traffic lights out. People were caring for and warning each other of possible danger zones, “Don’t drive on this road, a powerline is down!” At the same time we were hearing of panic, aggressive behavior, anger, and violence at the gas pumps, so intense, the Sheriff’s department had to be called in to break up fights.
In many neighborhoods, there was minimal damage, as if a strong wind just blew by. Nevertheless, the atmosphere was the same, a sense of gratefulness and belonging. Those whose homes were barely touched by the hurricane loaded up their vehicles with equipment and supplies to help others. They cut trees, repaired fences, and cleaned up. But more amazing were some people whose homes were damaged, they set aside their problems, and went out to help others who were in the same situation as they were. This experience reminded me of the verse I referenced above, Jesus commanded us to be a light unto the world. This light is the love of God in action. People humbly used their skills and resources to help those who were suffering. It is a true picture of what James means when he says, “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (Jm. 2: 15- 17 NKJV).
The aftermath of Hurricane Milton brought out two things, the worst of humanity, and the grace of God within those who allowed themselves to be a light unto the world. Hurricane Milton may have changed the landscape of our neighborhood, but God through this natural disaster changed the landscape of our hearts. As followers of Christ, we are not without suffering, pain, hurt, and tragedy. It is something God promised us while living here on earth. But it is also the occasion when the light of the church shines brightly. Throughout centuries, it is this resilience through persecution and tribulation that raised the church to preach the gospel of the good news of Christ unto the hardest places of this world. As demonstrated in these two hurricanes hitting Florida, that same Holy Spirit, who spurred the saints of old, is still much alive today. Do not let your daily problems prevent you from doing good, (especially to our brothers and sisters in the faith), in due time, we will reap the harvest, if we don’t give up (Gal. 6: 9).
We want to say to all our brothers and sisters in the faith, who have gone through Hurricane Helene and Milton, that our prayers are with you at this time of loss and recovery. Please let us know how you are doing. We ask that you please pray for us as we recover ourselves, and for our resources to keep flowing to the Missionary families who are caring for those who are destitute, while going through suffering, pain, and needs themselves.