OKC Tornadoes: The Ultimate Reconstruction

 It looked like someone had tossed everything for miles into a giant mixing bowl and spread it out like brownies in a pan... car windows, teddy bears, Christmas ornaments, coloring books, gutters, washing machines, shards of glass, trees, ketchup, ford rangers, high school year books, fridges, nail polish, couches... memories... peoples' scattered lives.

Just like my camera can never capture the majesty of the stars or the moon, it couldn't capture the brokenness surrounding me.

I realized something. Everything I saw was just an outward reflection of something deeper. We are all victims of a devastating tornado of the heart. Our lives are just as broken and hopeless as the twisted up house and fence I was standing upon. As I looked across the vast open neighborhoods covered in debri, I saw people's hurting hearts above their mangled homes.

The tornado surfaced the brokenness we all have within us.
As we are equally and hopelessly broken and destroyed, it may appear overwhelming... but Jesus is never overwhelmed. He defeated overwhelmed. He went underneath it in the grave to find the victory of reconstruction.

I couldn't rebuild every house in those neighborhoods, or convince the homeowners that everything would be roses and sunshine from here on out, but I could love them one person and one minute at a time.

However, Jesus can always do what I never can, better than I ever could. 

I saw the power of the Cross reflected within all that devastation. In ONE moment as chaos, pain, and destruction overtook a home, an opportunity arose for b e a u t y. Just like Jesus on the Cross. The process to take Him upon the Cross was horrible, ugly, painful, unjust, and seemingly hopeless... yet wrapped within that terror, a beautiful opportunity arose: JESUS. From the grave... giving life eternally and endlessly. 

Watching a community come together to support, rebuild, offer resources, and just love those in need was so powerful. Meeting people who lost so much yet had so much joy was incredible. Serving people will always serve you more. 

As He RESCUED us from the destruction of our sinful lives, He will walk with us through the process of reconstruction. Slowly, daily, one brick at a time, one wall at a time, one heart at a time.

Ephesians 3:17 "Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong."

John 16:33 "I have told you all this so you may have PEACE in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world."