Today we are grieving for our neighbors in Greensburg. I had planned to speak about the work and ministry of the United Methodist Mexican American Ministries, and connect their work to the love which Jesus talks about when he says, “Love one another as I have loved you.”  

     I want you to support United Methodist Mexican American Ministries, and know that when you do, you are exhibiting the love Christ talked about.   Be generous with Mexican American Ministries, today, and often.   The Cinco De Mayo dinner is still being served today, and I want you to go and eat and support the ministry of the Dodge City Care Center of M.A.M.

     Having said that, I’ve decided to abandon my original sermon, and invite us all to draw near to God’s comfort in the midst of what happened to our neighbors in Kiowa County, in Greensburg, in Stafford County, near Macksville, Saint John, Claflin, and Ellinwood.

Hear these words from the Scriptures:

    "The eternal God is our dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms."

(DEUTERONOMY 33:27)

    "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit." (PSALM 34:18)

    "The Lord heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.  Great is our Lord, and abundant in power, whose understanding is beyond measure." (PSALM 147:3, 5)

    There often comes a question that forms in our minds when something like this happens.   It begins with three words…  “Why did God…”  We fill in the remainder in a variety of ways.  "Why did God allow this to happen?"  "Why did God not spare the people of Greensburg?"  "Why did God..."

    It is worth saying again…  The merciful God, the loving God that is best known through the person of Jesus the Christ, is not a God who would willfully inflict such tragic punishment upon innocent families.   There are those who would have you believe that God would and did.   That is not the God I worship.

    Devastating storms and tornadoes are part of the natural world, neither evil nor benevolent.   They simply are.   Sometimes humans fall in the way of the astonishing power of nature…and when that occurs, there is great heartache in the loss that happens.

God’s real power is not so much evident in the awesome storm.  Do you remember the story of the prophet Elijah?  Believing that his life was in jeopardy, believing he was perhaps the only faithful one left who worshipped the God of Israel?   He runs and finally crawls into a dark, damp cave.   And God says to Elijah, "come out, for I am about to pass by."   And Elijah stands in the mouth of the cave, and he witnesses the awesome effects of nature.  An earthquake that shook the mountain.   A great fire that consumed all in its path.  A great wind so fierce that it sheered rocks from the face of the mountain.  And each time, we are told in the story, "God was not in the earthquake.  Not in the fire.   Not in the wind."   And then, God came to Elijah in a small, quiet voice.  A voice that encouraged Elijah.   A voice that helped him regain hope.  A voice that ultimately would coax Elijah out of his hiding place to return and face his worst nightmare.

    You see, God’s real power is not so much evident in the spectacular storm, but is evident in the outpouring and response of God’s people to the needs of those who were unfortunately in the path of it.  The voice of God that is demonstrated through encouragement.  The voice of God that helps those who have been devastated regain hope, and ultimately, give them strength to return to face the nightmare.   And God' power is evident in the demonstration of God's love by those who came to show it.  By those who were on the road to help in the minutes after the tornado struck.  Those who prayed unceasingly through the night for the people suffering enormous loss.   And those who are planning even now to go and help in the cleanup that will continue now for weeks to come.   And those who are opening their wallets to help the United Methodist Kansas Disaster Fund and other recovery efforts.  God’s people are demonstrating love.  That's the real power of God at work in the world, the power of God evident in Greensburg, Kansas.

    Thank you for what you are willing to do.   Thank you for what you have done.   Thank you for your willingness to love.   The world will know we are Christians as we show love.   In the end, that’s all that matters.  Not the differences that divide us, but the love that unites us.  

    As we come to the table this morning, I invite you to do so to experience again the grace and mercy of God through Jesus Christ, and to commit yourself to serving in love, whenever you can, wherever you can.