- Baptist Press - https://www.baptistpress.com -

FIRST-PERSON: A flood I’ll never forget

[1]

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (BP)–Like many residents of West and Middle Tennessee I closely monitored the weather and all the related activity that went on this past weekend.

I have lived in Nashville almost 28 years and have never seen so much rain in such a short time as what occurred. After living through our recent flood, I certainly have a greater appreciation for Noah and his family. We only had two intense days of rain and flooding. Imagine what Noah must have felt after 40 days and 40 nights. What’s more, he had a lot of company on that ark.

Fortunately, we could live through this flood, knowing of God’s promise never to destroy the earth again by flooding.

But we were reminded of the power of God and His control over nature. The sights we saw over the weekend will be forever etched on my mind. One in particular stands out. A portable classroom from a Christian school broke from its foundation and ended up floating along I-24. Television cameras soon picked up its path and aired the drama. Soon the swift currents began slamming cars into the building and before one’s eyes, it literally fell apart.

Hundreds of people had to be rescued and thousands of people were evacuated from their homes. At least 18 people were killed due to the flooding throughout the state.

Tennessee Baptist churches, along with congregations of other denominations, stepped to the forefront by providing emergency shelters to people displaced from their homes.

[2]

No doubt that in the weeks and months ahead, Tennessee Baptist disaster relief volunteers will be called upon to provide cleanup from the damage caused by the flooding and high winds.

As I reflect on the weekend, I don’t see how anyone can doubt the power of God and the fact that nature is under His control. Yes, there was a lot of damage and some lives were lost, but it could have been so much worse. The Bible tells us over and over we are not exempt from trouble and tribulation. But the Bible also tells us to “fear not” for He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Continue to pray for those affected by the weekend weather and assist where you can, showing the love of Christ as you go.
–30–
Lonnie Wilkey is editor of the Baptist and Reflector, newsjournal of the Tennessee Baptist Convention. The B&R may be read online at www.tnbaptist.org/BRNews.