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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

His Glory Revealed



Where is God when we suffer? This question was the subject of my pastor's sermon last week, 4 days after an EF4 tornado hit the area where I live, particularly devastating the campus of Union University, a Christ-centered Baptist university. Suffering and loss were surrounding us. Many might cry out, "Where are you God? Why did this happen?"


During the past week, I have seen where He is. He is:


  • In the hearts of multitudes of volunteers, faculty, staff, and alumni climbing through debris to recover belongings of students and carefully bagging them--for hours in c0ld weather.

  • In the hearts of student leaders staying to do whatever possible to help, even when everything they have has just been destroyed.

  • In the donations of Target and Wal-Mart giftcards from the community enabling students to buy clothes, food, bedding, and other school supplies.

  • In the incredible Christ-focused leadership of President David Dockery, a man that must be overwhelmed at the task in front of him, but fully confident in the God behind him.

  • In the faith and of people who are confident that they serve an awesome God who is in control, even in our pain.

He is here, He always was. When the storm was raging, He was here. When the tornado hit campus housing, He was placing His hand of protection on over 1000 students, sparing every precious life against tremendous odds. No one walking through the rubble the next day would have believed that everyone survived. He was and IS here.


It is so hard when we suffer to see that He is present. I love the quote by CS Lewis:


“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks to us in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”


He shouts to us in our suffering. He is present and protecting us and using our pain to bring us closer to Him. He allows suffering, because He loves us. He experienced the pain of sacrificing His only son for our salvation. Through the suffering, I have seen the glory of God revealed. He is sovereign and in control.


John 11 tells the story of Lazarus:

Then Jesus,deeply moved again, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, "Lord, by this time there will be an odor, for he has been dead four days." Jesus said to her, "Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"


Through your suffering, He is present and His glory is revealed!



11 Comments:

Blogger Tiffany said...

Thank you for this reminder. As someone currently going through a storm, it is important for me to remember this. I need this post today.

February 13, 2008 at 9:25 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Through your suffering, He is present and His glory is revealed!"


So many things we could say about that, but in the end, that is what it all comes down to. Beautifully stated!

Darnelle

February 13, 2008 at 10:16 AM  
Blogger windycindy said...

Hello, Life thus far has taught me that I need God in all times! The good, the bad and the ugly! There is so much that happens in this world that I don't understand. I reassure myself that there is a reason for everything! Thanks for the inspiration.....Cindi :)
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

February 13, 2008 at 10:18 AM  
Blogger Mary Lou said...

Thank you for the reminder. God was truly there at Union, to spare all of those lives. So many could have died. God had a plan and a purpose for all of thier lives and He was not to be stopped. The testimony and witness for Him that is coming out of this devastation is a blessing to us all. You explained everything so well. Being from the area gives me a connection to the school. My church has alot of students at Union. Two were hurt...they still need prayer. Thanks for giving God the glory. Mary Lou at dlowran1(at)comcast(dotnet

February 13, 2008 at 1:18 PM  
Blogger Mocha with Linda said...

Excellent words, Kelly. Thanks for sharing.

Beyond our understanding, God is sovereign and good.

February 13, 2008 at 1:18 PM  
Blogger Praise and Coffee said...

Kelly,
What powerful words. That quote by CS Lewis is wonderful and so true.

I'm so thankful that you are ok and that the Lord is being glorified in the midst of this disaster.

Awesome post.

Sue

February 13, 2008 at 1:20 PM  
Blogger Kimberly said...

It is so good to hear from you. This is such a powerful post! I agree with Sue, I love the quote from C.S.Lewis. And I love that we can know that God loves us, no matter what the circumstances may seem to say. He is always there.

February 13, 2008 at 2:21 PM  
Blogger lori said...

It's amazing what HE does in the middle of a storm...
what a powerful post....
HE is GOOD,ALL the time....
amen....
lori

February 13, 2008 at 2:52 PM  
Blogger 2nd Cup of Coffee said...

Kelly, this speaks to a question every single thinking person has ever dealt with. Thanks again for the reminder. He is sovereign.

February 13, 2008 at 5:31 PM  
Blogger Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife said...

We drove through the tornado ravaged areas of our own town today and were overwhelmed at the devastation. It literally looks like a bomb went off. Amazing that more weren't killed though that is only a small comfort to the family here who lost their dear mother.

This was a beautiful post Kelly...One I can relate to more than I care to.

Much love,

Lisa

February 13, 2008 at 5:50 PM  
Blogger Denise said...

Beyond awesome sweetie.

February 13, 2008 at 7:07 PM  

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It is good to hear from you... thank you so very much for leaving a note on the table. That makes us smile!

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