Typhoon Melor

If it weren't for the fact that my sleep was disrupted by rattling windows from 5 am - 7am this morning, I might never have known that I just experienced Typhoon Melor. We've known for a while that it was coming, but I didn't quite know what to expect from a typhoon (besides lots of wind and rain). Well, it turns out that's exactly what to expect. When I woke up from the wind this morning and looked outside, I felt like I was watching the news about some major tropical storm that hit Asia. Except, I was living in Asia and this wasn't the news; it was happening in my neighbourhood. I wish I had taken a picture but I don't really think the view would have been that great through the waterfall rushing down and against my window. I opened my sliding door to move some things on the balcony that looked dangerously ready to fly away, and I could see trees bending and being blown viciously by the wind, while the rain jerked in blizzard-like waves as it fell to the ground. I shut the door and retreated inside, reflecting on the peaceful sanctuary we have created for ourselves.

If I was in a poorer country, this same storm would be incredibly dangerous. A shack would offer little protection against these violent gusts of wind, and flooding would be a much greater concern if I didn't live 4 stories off the ground. I am thankful for the 4 sturdy walls that surround me, and filled with compassion for those who are not so blessed. I am reminded of William Wilberforce's words about riches: "we are to value them chiefly not as instruments of luxury or splendor, but as affording the means of honouring our heavenly Benefactor, and lessening the miseries of mankind." (A Practical View of Christianity by William Wilberforce) I am praying today that God will show me exactly how I can use the riches He has given me to honour Him and "lessen the miseries of mankind."

But just as the storm (or the Spirit) has stirred in me compassion, a different kind of worship is also stirring. I think perhaps it is true awe and fear of God. The power of the storm was incredible, and yet I have a deep sense that its power is nothing compared to His. When I climbed Mount Ontake last week, the beauty was astounding, and yet that is nothing compared to His beauty. When I read passages or sing songs about God's ability to "move the mountains," I now have a picture of what that means. A whole mountain is a big, heavy, monstrous piece of rock. Who can move that? God can. What kind of God is that? A very great God.

And so, I love the storm because of what it shows me about my Maker and my Friend. But I love the storm for one more thing: the way it refreshes the earth. The sky is clearer now than ever, the air is fresh and clean, and it feels like the whole city has been given a bath. Here, I think, is another parable: it is only God's power that can truly wash our hearts clean. We have destroyed ourselves with our sin and rebelled in the face of a great God, and yet in His goodness He came to earth, took the punishment for our sin, and made a way for us to be cleaned, refreshed, and restored to Himself. Now that is a beautiful thing.