Storm Surge

By: Randal Myers

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Is everyone familiar with the term ìstorm surge?î If you're not, by now you should be. After so many hurricanes in the past two years (a record to date) we should all know the terminology associated with these ìnaturalî disasters. Not having even really begun to rebound from Katrina, the Gulf Coast finds itself bracing for another onslaught tomorrow as I write these words.

According to Wikipedia, ìstorm surgeî is defined as ìan onrush of water associated with a low pressure weather system.î Storm surge is caused primarily by high winds pushing on the water's surface causing the water to sort of pile up and rush onto shore resulting in severe water impact damage and general flooding.

Not surprisingly the greatest recorded storm surge in the United States occurred recently during Hurricane Katrina. The storm surge registered at thirty feet in Biloxi, Mississippi.

These storms also provide opportunities for a "storm surge" of service in the name of Jesus.

I think many of us were shocked at what I'm calling a secondary ìstorm surge;î that being what followed in the aftermath of the flooding in the New Orleans area. Most of us recoiled in shock after seeing news reports of looting, rape, burglary of houses and even sniper fire as rescue workers and law enforcement attempted to help those in dire circumstances.

Then there was all the blaming, name calling and shifting of responsibility that could even be called a third type of storm surge.

So what could possibly really help these three types of storm surge? I think only a forth ìstorm surgeî of sorts. Along with the rush of water, the rush to take advantage of the situation and the rush to blame someone for the disaster I have seen a truly remarkable rush of servant-minded, good hearted, generous, and sacrificial people trying to help those who have been devastated by Katrina and her aftermath.

Human suffering brings out the worst in some, but it also brings out the very best in so many others. These terrible events should remind us that true religion, Christianity at its core, is not just something people believe. It isn't something believers participate in on the weekends. It is a lifestyle that reflects its leader. Jesus was compassionate, sacrificial, helpful and involved. He didn't stand on the sidelines of life with pious platitudes; he was a hands-on servant of others. ì...the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.î

No one likes the idea of facing storms in life...but these storms also provide many opportunities for a ìstorm surgeî of service in the name of Jesus. Surge on!

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