Opinions
Beyond Measure
Typhoon Yolanda, which slammed the Philippines with ruthless fury, “was so powerful that instruments can’t measure it’s force.” according to Hugh Willoughby, professor of meteorology at Florida International University.
It pummeled to destruction anything and anyone in its path.
No figure of speech could capture its rage.
“It cut through Tacloban like a scythe.”
“Catastrophic waves pounded the shores and flattened structures, crushing bodies underneath.”
“Winds came like hundreds of planes flying overhead and hundreds of trucks driving back and forth.”
“It tore children from their parents’ arms.”
“Water, rushing up to the second floor in seconds, drowned families.”
“Worse than being in hell.”
“Bodies are scattered all over; many are being fished out of the sea.”
“The dead are thrown into mass graves without body bags.”
“People are walking dazed, looking for the missing.”
“The damage rose to an extent more than can be ever be quantified.”
Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), the most terrifying typhoon that ever hit land on record, was beyond measure.
Now is the time to look up to heaven for grace and mercy. Let us not allow ourselves to be distracted by brickbats that crush the spirit and words more hurtful than what has already hit us.
May we come together in prayer, to help and encourage each other with kind words and swift action, and rid ourselves of political affiliations and ambitions, biases, selfishness, anger, and evil design to take advantage of the situation.
In the words of our Lord Jesus, this is who we are and how we should conduct ourselves, especially at a difficult time such as this:
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matthew 5:13-16 (NLT)
Lord, please give us a generous, understanding, and encouraging heart—beyond measure.
