Stop Hiding

Isaiah 25:5-9

As we all, or mostly all, know a massive storm hit the east coast of the United States yesterday. This storm is said to have spread its effects almost 1000 miles across. I've heard there is damage in all areas between Maine and Virginia and into Ohio. Of course, one can't believe everything they read on the internet, but I'm just saying.

Being in Hawaii we get to watch what would be the overnight news on the east coast before we get to bed, and so my wife and I did. We watched as night-vision cameras showed eerie shadows cast in an eerier green backgrounds. We saw the empty streets of New York City lit only by the lights from news organization trucks. We watched as picture after picture taken between midnight and 3 in the morning showed what was obviously going to be days of what they're calling "restoration" efforts.

Suddenly it was 10 pm in Hawaii, and 4 am on the east coast. I had began to fall asleep when I heard a voice other than the woman who was reporting from her news desk for the last 3 hours. This other voice was talking about how their state brought in electrical workers and phone company crews and various other non-safety first responders from other states to help with the task of putting their towns and cities back together.

I went to bed thinking everything is going to be ok. As I sit at the table this morning, listening to more stories of people beginning to come together to help in whatever way they can, I begin thinking definitely that everything will be better than just ok. It's as though those in the storm's path know this isn't about themselves  it's about those around them.

As our passage for today says, the sheet that covers all of humanity has been removed. The sheet that is spoken of is the one that divides people. For now, at least, people have stopped hiding behind these sheets and are coming together to help their neighbor. We always say it's too bad disasters have to happen to bring people together in this way. Well, then, let's stop hiding behind the sheets forever.

Right?