Raw Power

As I was waking up this morning, there was a large thunderstorm rolling through Grove City. It started with faint thunder off in the distance, slowly coming closer and closer. Periodically, the thunder would be right over head, shaking our house and waking me up even more. Then the rain started, soft at first but growing stronger and more steady. Flashes of lightning would make it through the blinds, and the loud thunder followed. By now, I was completely awake, and enjoying listening to the storm roll over our house.

I love thunderstorms, when they aren't so big that I'm not in any danger. The sound of the thunder rolling, so strong and loud that the walls of my house shake, the flashes of lightning, and the strong winds and rain that come and go - these are all reminders to me that the there is power in the world that far exceeds my own. I saw some pictures of a recent volcano eruption in Chile, and I had similar thoughts: There is so much power, it is far beyond anything I can comprehend!

I believe this power also exists in an existential manner, meaning, there is a power that can control, direct, understand, shape and move the activities and results of the world. There is a power to save, and that is a power that I don't possess or control.

I also believe that this is a very important realization, especially when trying to travel across the world to help people in a practical way. It can be easy to get caught up in the desire to try to save the world. There are so many needs, so many people, and so much that could be done. The sheer magnitude impacts me and I have a deep longing to try to save the world, as best I can.

But just as forceful is the realization that I simply can't. I am only one person. I live so far away. I am trapped in my American lifestyle, and as much as I try, I can only do so much. The juxtaposition of great need, a great desire to help, and the realization of my limitations can be severely debilitating, almost to the point of depressing.

Then I remember, there is a power greater than my own - MUCH greater than my own. There is a power to save, that I don't possess, but that I believe exists. There is a power that is shaping, directing, and intimately guiding the world, simultaneously engaging every individual toward redemption.

So I can step back, relax, and stand in awe at the raw power. The raw power of thunderstorms. The raw power of volcanic eruptions. Or the raw power of a love so big, it is saving the world.