God Loves Oklahoma

Here's an article I wrote for our church's newsletter last week following the devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma...

Why am I not shocked that the Westboro Baptist Church would tweet “God Hates Oklahoma” in the wake of Monday’s massive tornado?  Perhaps it is because I’m so attune to the vile hatred spewed by the representatives of WBC due to my current involvement in HOPE UCC’s production of The Laramie Project.  But there is no excuse for such ignorant behavior in the name of God. 

As I have been watching the news and reading about the people of Moore, Oklahoma affected by this recent tornado, I can’t help but feel compassion and sadness.  I continue to pray for those who are missing, those who have lost everything, those whose lives have changed forever in an instant.

I offer prayers of thanksgiving for the search and rescue crews, official and un-official.  I am thankful for those brave enough to rush in and do what they can for others, showing that selflessness and neighborly love continue to be powerful things.  I pray a prayer of thanksgiving for those who presented the warning, those who care for the wounded, and those that will bury the dead...

“God Hates Oklahoma” is not a response to tragedy such as this.  “God Hates Oklahoma” says, in some way, that God was responsible for the devastation, that God was in the tornado, navigating its course through the neighborhoods and schools. 

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah encounters God on the mountainside...but he didn’t encounter God in the earthquake, the fire or the mighty wind...God was present to Elijah in the silence that followed.  So for those who think that God somehow decided to destroy a community in Oklahoma... “the Lord was not in the wind.” (1 Kings 19:11)

The silence that followed...once the winds had died down...is the place that encompassed God.  Neighbor helping neighbor.  A nation tuned in from a distance.  Faith communities on bended knee.  That is where we continue to meet God in times such as this...not in the cause of the devastation but in the time of rebuilding that follows.

“What can I do?” you ask.  Plenty.  Begin with prayer...prayer for all of those who have seen and are seeing first-hand just how powerful these storms can be.  Pray for the rebuilding of a community...in time.  Pray for peace and comfort for the many who will find it difficult to believe that it exists.

And then act...do something to help those affected by the tornado.  Educate yourself on Climate Change and the increase in storm activity our planet is seeing.  Contribute to a relief organization that will assist the families in Oklahoma in rebuilding.  Prepare Church World Services Disaster Kits to help keep the inventory steady as supplies are shared with families in need.  Go...link up with a reputable service organization and go to Oklahoma to help with the clean up. 

Do something...so that the people of Oklahoma...and the people of the world see through your actions that indeed, GOD LOVES OKLAHOMA!