Tremble and smoke
Dear Saints!
A few weeks ago, I traveled to the big island of Hawaii for the first time in my life. Which is, in itself, incredible. Many of you have been there before and know how extraordinarily diverse the nature and climate are there. How you can feel like being in the Caribbean on the one side of the island with its white sand beaches and gorgeous sunsets. And then, just a couple hours later you stroll through a rainforest and adore waterfalls twice as high as Niagara Falls. Later, you might cool off while swimming with some green sea turtles. It’s probably the closest I have ever been to something Eden-like.
And then, there are the volcanoes. The ones that erupted years ago and build a beautiful black valley for us to walk through. The lava tubes to explore. And the Kilauea volcano. Which had been quiet for some years until September 2021. Which was quiet when we arrived at the island. Just to erupt a few days later. When we happened to stroll by.
We had read that standing above the crater was a great spot for beautiful sunrises. So, we got up early and drove there. Just to be 10 minutes late. We hiked the mile to find others packing up their cameras already. And, while we were still angry at ourselves for not leaving the house even earlier, we overheard some talking about the upcoming eruption, possibly within the next 12-24 hours. The pressure was as high as could be. We gazed down, wondering what an eruption might look like.
There was smoke, but no lava yet. Nothing happened and we hiked a different crater that day and drove home.
And then, Kilauea did erupt. Not loud, the earth didn’t shake. Lava just bubbled and slowly flowed out of the mountain. Like blood welling out. At sunset (in time!) we were back at the same spot we had stood at in the morning. The earth had been broken open and we got a glimpse of its inside. God had touched the mountains and they smoked and spit fire.
I felt small and humble and elevated at the same time. Small given the grandiosity and energy before my eyes. Humble in light of God’s might. Elevated because I got to witness such wonders, such birth of new stones and new surfaces. That one-day people will walk upon and hide behind the rocks and wonder how it used to look.
And it made me remember how God creates, how the creation isn’t finished. How there are new beginnings that might look like they are destroying old surfaces and paths with heat and fire. Yet, they are building on what has been there. They are reshaping what was, redefining what will be. Bringing fertile grounds for new generations.
It was the most profound experience to feel what it means to believe in God, the creator of the world. Who isn’t done creating. Who keeps creating right in front of our eyes, if we dare to look at it. The results will be dazzling. And frightening at times. And beautiful. Filled with new opportunities for this world and God’s people. And all we are left to do is stand in awe, breathe, watch, and explore what’s possible.
31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works—
32 who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the Lord.
(Psalm 104, 31-34)
Blessings,
PASTOR TIA!
