CYCLONE Gabrielle: where was IHOWA? -

“The most severe weather event this century” Prime Minister Chris Hipkins stated, declaring a state of national emergency when Cyclone Gabrielle raged over Aotearoa mid-February.

For those of us in parts of the motu which have been little affected, the plight of those who were struck down by the cyclone causes us grief. We can’t help but feel anger and frustration as we see the images of broken whare, roads and bridges, slips, ruined orchards and farms. As we hear of loss, broken lives, narrow escapes, power outages for days, isolation, fear and despair, our manawa are touched. The affects of the cyclone are going to be felt as a nation for years to come, and healing and recovery are going to take a long time for so many.

So where was Ihowā during Cyclone Gabrielle? Isn’t He supposed to be a loving Atua? A ka pai Atua? Why does He allow such natural disasters?

The Paipera Tapu tells us that Ihowā created te ao, and put in place natural laws such as day and night, seasons and weather (Genesis 1). Sometimes, there is a natural disturbance. When two weather patterns collide, this can cause storms or when two of the earth’s structural plates shift, there is an earthquake. The Paipera Tapu tells us that He controls the seasons and raises the sun every morning (Psalms 104:19). He causes the wind to blow (Luke 8:24-25), and lunar eclipses (Job 26:8-9). Why therefore does He not prevent these natural disasters?

Many disasters are caused by mankinds sinfulness, eg. greed leading to deforestation which results in mudslides that kill people, or unethical business or construction practices that lead to building collapses or mining disasters, and the desire for mana that leads to wars and famines, disease and death.

So where is Ihowā at these times?

He is there among those who are suffering. He is there in the manawa and the ringa of the rescuers, of those who send aid in various forms.

During Gabrielle He was there with the hundreds of civil defence people, firemen, police, army, linesmen, animal welfare agencies, ambulance drivers, medical staff, road contractors and others who have worked ceaselessly (and often at great personal sacrifice) to help those in desperate need.

Ihowā was with the helicopter pilots who made over four hundred rescues. Ihowā has been on the many marae with those who have provided kai and shelter, manaakitanga.

He aroha Ihowā. Ihowā is compassionate, Ihowā can bring good out of disasters. (Rom 8:28)

Right now, physical and emotional restoration are the immediate focus, but ultimately it is our spiritual wellbeing that is of most importance to

Ihowā. He wants each of us to come to Him through His Son, Ihu Karaiti and to know the full extent of His wonderful aroha. Then we can be confident that no matter what the world throws at us Ihowā will never leave us or forsake us.

"The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.TheLORDgivesstrengthtohis people; the LORD blesses his people with peace." Psalm 29:10-11

- Liz Silcock