By Pastor Mike McVey
A flood is a horrendous event to endure or observe. It is almost evil in its relentless consumption of everything in its path. The images coming out of the Hill Country spark vivid emotional responses within us all. Especially to those who are familiar with these types of disasters.
I know what it is like to watch torrents of flood water surging down streets and into homes. I have seen cars floating past in brown swirling waters of debris and flotsam. The roaring sounds of torrential rain, rushing water, and desperate prayers for all of it to simply stop. I have seen the torrid fear in people’s faces as they arrive to shelter with only the clothes on their backs. Or the desperation in children’s faces because the rescuers could only fit them in their boat and had to leave their parents behind. I have prayed over, wept with, and attempted to comfort those who have lost everything. All the while trying to make sense of overwhelming destruction. While serving as a Pastor of a church in Houston in the epicenter of Hurricane Harvey’s wrath, I was stranded at a hospital for over 12 hours after trying to drive home through flood waters and nearly being carried away by an overflowing creek. The devastation that floods can cause is mind boggling, it washes away everything and leaves behind broken lives and devastated dreams.
But there is something else that arises in these moments. It is the Body of Christ. The Hands and Feet of Jesus. The Church.
In the coming weeks, months, and even years we will bear witness to the countless of numbers of people who will arise to this occasion and respond to this tragedy with God’s love and eager hands to do his work. For these moments are when the church truly steps into its full potential and embraces the call of discipleship. The flood waters of destruction are already being surrounded by the floodwaters of first responders and search teams. God did not send the flood; he sent these servants.
Christ’s disciples will be first on the scene and the last to leave. God has instilled within all who have encountered His son the deep desire of service and love of our fellow man. In the coming days we all will be given a chance to embrace this call, and may we not forsake it or ignore it.
Romans 8 states, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
These flood waters will recede, but a new flood will take its place. A flood of Christian love and service that will encompass the devastated regions of the Hill Country and restore it through the hands of selfless discipleship.
The call to respond is coming, my friends. The Holy Spirit is preparing us for the task before us. The waters will recede and the need for God’s love will be great. So, let us be ready to heed that call.
Pastor Mike McVey
First United Methodist Church, Fairfield TX
ASC Chaplain – United States Coast Guard
Chaplain – Texas Game Warden Service
