The first-ever-recorded Category 5 June hurricane appeared earlier this summer. Hurricane Beryl started in Africa and traveled 6,000 miles through the Caribbean, Texas, and the Midwest before drowning its two last victims in Vermont.
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge until the destroying storms pass by. … [God] will send from heaven and save me. – Psalm 57:1-3b (NRSV)
This devastation arrives amidst record heat almost everywhere in the world, which kills much more quietly and efficiently.
Does it feel specious to ask God to “send from heaven to save us,” when the climate-change-fueled disasters arriving from that same heaven are a result of our activity?
Some of us are worried that we have done too little, too late when it comes to the climate crisis, and have all but given up. Others are still woefully in denial about the danger we are in. But there are signs that God still can save us, with our participation.
The very sun that warms our oceans to cause boiling storms, and warms the air to cook the earth and its inhabitants, can also save us in the form of solar electrification—which is ready to end our fossil fuel folly at last.
But it will only work if we stop trying to use God as a pretty parasol, taking shelter from the harm done in the shade of those wings. It’s time to step out from the divine shadows and take our place as co-creators of a new Heaven and a renewable Earth (see thirdact.org for ideas), even if it means standing right in the storm.
Prayer
Creator of all that is, give me hope that it is not too late—and the certain knowledge that even these scary storms can pass by, if we only work with you and not against you.
About the author
Rev. Molly Baskette is the lead pastor of First Church Berkeley UCC and the author of books about church renewal, parenting, spiritual growth and more. Sign up for her author newsletter or get information about her newest book at mollybaskette.com.