When the Roof Blows Off

“Let the light of your [God’s] face shine on us.” Psalm 4:6

“In the same way let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 NIV

Three weeks after the devastating tornado ripped through Goderich Ontario, I took a walk through the damaged area. One particular scene became riveted in my mind: the United Church. This once magnificent historic edifice was now irreparably damaged. Demolition had begun, leaving the inside fully exposed to the elements – and to outside view. I saw the bright sunlight shine down on the balcony pews causing their reddish brown hues to glow beautifully against the backdrop of the broken-up walls. Seeing such radiant splendor in wood is a rare occurrence. Normally we protect our fine wood from the outside elements. But that deprives us of their fullest potential for beauty.

While gazing up towards those naked exposed pews that day, a disturbing feeling of exposure arose within me. Those pews emanated to me a sense of utter helplessness and vulnerability with no way to hide from the ravages of the elements. To be sure, we humans expend much of our lives avoiding such transparent exposure. We resist becoming uncovered and naked – vulnerable to elements over which we have no power.

Seeing the broken-up church building reminded me that so little of the true Light of God can shine through us, his people, when we are hidden behind our self-constructed walls. I don’t mean merely our edifices. We have a natural tendency to construct all kinds of exteriors – so that others can’t see us in our weaknesses, fears, and our emptiness. We don’t want to be exposed in our vulnerability and our smallness. Really, we merely hide from ourselves and from God - just like Adam and Eve who, after they sinned, instinctively grabbed some fig leaves as they dashed for cover.

The outside world cannot see what goes on inside our church buildings – unless, that is, the roof blows off….. somehow. And that’s just the way God works in the lives of his people. It may feel like a tornado touching down– leaving us feeling frightfully exposed to the elements. Perhaps we experience failure, rejection, or in some way the unmasking of our fine-looking facade. Our flaws are exposed. We may feel anxiety and fear, because now there is nowhere to hide. Yet in this exposed and vulnerable condition, we find God’s invitation to receive his Light - his merciful love and forgiveness through Christ. It is his better cover for us.

That day, as I looked at the damaged church, another marvel caught my attention: Some of the stain glass windows were still intact and I could see sunlight shine through them. We don’t normally see stain glass windows like that – not from the outside. Even at nighttime, any light shining through them is merely artificial light - never the sun’s full splendor. But that day, oh, how brightly they shone! And with such vibrant colors!

PRAYER: Lord, in the trials and testings of our lives may we have courage to be exposed in truthfulness before you. May we be receptive to you, so that your Light can be reflected through the rubble of our brokenness, just like those pews and windows reflected the sun’s radiance.

Diane

“This is just the building where the community met. It's a sacred space, but really in the scheme of things it's still only bricks and mortar.”

These were the minister’s words recorded by the press after that fateful day. He added, “As a Christian community we know that out of death comes new life and so that's what we hold on to.”

I do not know what is happening in this congregation. But I do know that there is a tendency to re-store the old order, and to fill in all the gaps as quickly as possible. We prefer not to leave ourselves dangling, exposed with loose ends and temporary arrangements. It’s like stopping a musical selection on a seventh chord. (Yet, isn’t like that way?)

That reminds me of another congregation whose roof blew off – but in a different way – a way that doesn’t so easily invite the press, community sympathy, or volunteer donations.

I visited this church one day – only because I wanted to be gracious to the family where I was staying. I chose to join them that Sunday rather than go elsewhere. I fully expected the service to be dead and dull – as so many in that denomination. I had no idea why, during the first lines of the first hymn, I found myself in tears, deeply moved. Only later that day would I find out that this congregation was in the midst of a vicious “tornado” which was exposing them in their vulnerability. That day I experienced the Light of God’s love shine through their weakened condition. Oh, how beautiful it was!! This was a blessed fragility, yet a condition which any organization tries hard to avoid. (…)

Cont’d…..

The blessing I received that Sunday in my host's church made a permanent impression on me. To begin with, I was convicted of my tendency to prejudge according to superficial markers.

After the service, I mingled among the people while waiting for my host. This was no “normal” after-church scenario. The people were scattered here and there fellowshipping in huddles. I heard no course laughter or trite conversation. I saw hugs, gentle touches, and caring expressions. I could feel a warmth radiate from their presence. But I didn’t know why.

Later, over lunch I asked my host family what was happening in their church. That’s when I learned about their crisis. The congregation had chosen to stand behind their minister – who had become a spokesman for Gospel authority against liberalism (and some related issues). Things were not going well. The powers-that-be were resistant and hostile. This congregation stood to lose all its property as well as their minister. I had never realized just how powerful denominational hierarchy can become. If I remember correctly, a court case was in process. Yet rather than embitter these people or make them arrogant and self righteous, it softened them. Their vulnerability turned them towards the Lord and towards each other. It jelled them together in a common purpose.

My friend told me how this crisis had changed her. She admitted that she never read her Bible so much before.

For this congregation the roof had blown off, and was quite literally in danger of being torn away for good. In such a fragile condition, the light cannot remain hidden as under a bushel. The sunshine of God’s love was free to shine. As the people shed their bland pretenses and opened their hearts to God and one another, love shone freely. I was even warmed by it.

“Let your light shine.”

Diane

I now talk about another congregation who lost its roof – and sadly, much more. Their building burnt down and many people lost their lives. It was the year 1708 In Mulhousen, Germany. This was long before fire codes, insurance policies, and fire retardant materials. Fires in 17/18th century were more devastating than we can ever imagine. Whole towns would disappear.

We will never know how often God’s light shone through such deep tragedies in that day. But we do know that the church fire in Mulhousen became an occasion for God’s glory which we can still enjoy. The minister commissioned the composer JS Bach to write an cantata on Psalm 130 for the commemoration service following that fire. I include the psalm and also links to this marvelous work – a beautiful lament. You will find the opening remarks to be quite stirring.

May your heart be warmed through the beauty in this cantata: BWV 131- Aus der Tiefen

First section, opening with commentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JY2RsBYSEM

The whole cantata: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqqFQGV-H54&feature=related

Psalm 130
Out of the depths I cry to you, LORD;
Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.

If you, LORD, kept a record of sins,
Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness,
so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope. I wait for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

Israel, put your hope in the LORD,
for with the LORD is unfailing love
and with him is full redemption.

He himself will redeem Israel
from all their sins.

Tornadoes and blown-off roofs have become a theme in my life. In fact, it is my very psyche, shaped over the past 20 years by recurrent tornado dreams. I have “seen” many roofs blow off, buildings collapse and rubble fly - and always falling over me. But I am always safe and peaceful. Each time I seem to find that safe place, and always manage to pull loved ones into safety with me. Perhaps this is symbolic of the call of God’s people in our shaken-up world.

Tornadoes are now a theme in my husband’s life too. He has attended tornado watch meetings, and recently took part in training sessions for disaster relief. He is the area coordinator for the ham radio operators in the event of an emergency. When he talks about all this – he speaks as if this WILL happen, not as it if MIGHT happen. To be honest, it can get a bit much for me. That might explain why the tornado mug he received at one meeting has disappeared from our home. Thankfully it "somehow" blew away!

Still, the reality of disastrous “tornadoes” cannot escape us. Even as I read Isaiah, I see it everywhere. It is the backdrop of God’s promise of hope in the midst of judgment.

“… a hailstorm and a destructive wind …” Is. 28:2,3

“… the wind will pick them up,
and a gale will blow them away.” 41:16

“The earth is violently shaken.” 24:20

“Afflicted city, lashed by storms...” 54:11

“I bring prosperity and create disaster” 45:7

“ The wind will carry all of them off,
a mere breath will blow them away.
BUT [!!!] whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land.” 57:13

“ … a shelter from the wind
and a refuge from the storm…” 32:1-3

Both the real world and the dream world suggest that our churches too – either as buildings or as people are not spared from the forces that be. Many more tornadoes are coming and many roofs will fly off – be that literally or figuratively. It will leave people frightened, exposed, and feeling extremely vulnerable. There is a need for prepared workers who can provide both physical and spiritual relief – in other words, serve in a variety of practical ways.

What are the implications for God’s people? I believe it begins by embracing a vision of hope and learning to see tragedy through a prophetic lens:

“Look, look, look to the rainbow.
Follow it over the hill and the stream.
…a song for your heart,
To sing it whenever the world falls apart”

“Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him.” Ezekiel 1:28

Diane