When I think of floods in terms of faith images, Noah, the ark and animals marching two by two come to mind. Then I remember the promise of God to not destroy this land by floods of rain again; and yet floods still come. They come literally, like Superstorm Sandy, washing ashore and changing many lives.
Although I have witnessed the damages and assisted in rebuilding, I have never been personally impacted by the destruction of natural disaster. I am more experienced with being an emotional being with my heart consumed as I encounter the everyday trials and joys of this crazy human life.
I am a natural at problem solving. In my role at Goshen College, I get to support students through the often challenges of being students. As a friend, I help recast everyday problems as opportunities. And as a wife, I support my husband through his earnest goal of completing his dissertation. Despite my greatest efforts of looking for creative solutions to everyday problems, I have to learn again and again that not every problem can be solved. Sometimes the lack of solution is what God strives to teach me or teach through me. And the floods of emotion return. Emotional floods compounded by my own tendencies to be too hard on myself, to desire perfection when God only expects faithfulness.
As we near the end of this Advent season, how can we invite a new flood to consume us?
… A flood of Grace that heals
… A flood of Mercy that fully embraces human limitations
… A true flood of reversal