“When Noah wanted to know if it was all right to go back into the world, he didn’t ask for a weather report; he sent out for the dove.” – Peter J. Gomes
Long before I was blessed to serve in Minnesota, family members from that neck of the woods inculturated me to the importance of weather. At that time I was already quite familiar with the extreme conditions of the north star state that national meteorologists get all excited about. Yet two pieces of cultural wisdom were shared with me. “If you can’t think of anything else to say to someone, just mention the weather and they’ll talk your ear off.” The other gem was, “Ya know, there’s no bad weather – just bad clothing!”
I flew through a lightning storm recently causing significant turbulence and thought there is nothing my choice of wardrobe is going to do to ward off this weather!
The reality is the weather impacts our world every day…Far more than determining the appropriate dress for the day, the weather is often a matter of life or death. I have seen first hand the devastation of tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, blizzards, flash floods, fires and scorching heat. People that I care deeply about have lost everything, including loved ones, because of damaging weather.
The reality is the weather impacts our world every day…I have also had countless experiences with the awe and wonder of weather. Breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, the fog lifting over the mountains, the first snowfall of the winter, a cool breeze on a hot muggy day, a gentle misty rain in the middle of the forest. And I have seen how all of this wonderful weather feeds and nurtures the soil, waterways and – in the end – the abundance that is on the dinner table.
God’s creation is such a mysterious, frightening AND spectacular wonder. Recently Jim McClintock was a guest on my ‘5 Questions in 5 Minutes’ podcast. He is a world renowned expert on climate, specifically in Antarctica. I was so inspired by his knowledge and passion for the care of creation.
The reality is the weather impacts our world every day…And as such, I want to be wisely respectful, deeply appreciative and consistently committed to do my part for the care of all of God’s creation.
“Creation emerges out of the energies of God’s own Spirit, bridging the gulf between Creator and creature, actor and act, and master and work. Human creativity is intimately bound up in God’s own creativity. Ruach (Spirit) can give life to the lifeless and bring renewed life to those who have no hope. The Spirit of God is at work in creation.” – Grace Ji-Sun Kim
BP