February 7th

The recent earthquake in Haiti demonstrates the incredible and often unpredictable power that lies just beneath our feet. What we consider solid ground is actually one of many huge ‘plates’ of solid matter afloat on a sea of unbelievably hot liquid rock. These ‘Tectonic plates” are massive beyond belief, yet as they float on molten magma, they also move about. The pace is slow, not so much that we would ever notice, but as they move at below glacier speed, they also rub against each other, sometimes even getting caught, against their neighbours, thus keeping each from going anywhere.
This is the dangerous, powerful part. While the plates keep each other from moving, they are storing vast amounts of energy, kind of like holding a rubber band fully stretched. When conditions are right, the energy is released suddenly, without warning, in the form of an earthquake.
These rapid releases of energy are one of the few visible signs we have of the power that lies below. With all too terrible an effect on human life, we learn in an instant of the massive forces that are not only beyond our wildest dreams, but also well beyond our control.
The recent earthquake in Haiti also demonstrates another incredible power, but this one is well within our control. This power is that of selfless giving, a force that can be activated by a mere change of heart. The images of the victims suffering in Haiti and the stories of their broken lives were all that it took to trigger an virtually instant response from people all around the world. It’s as if one giant, generous hand suddenly reached out with gifts of money, food, and other resources. That power, however, did not stop with mere items. Folks didn’t just give out of their banks or pantries, they also gave themselves to the cause. Doctors, nurses, soldiers and other capable souls went in to help however they could, demonstrating the amazing power available to us at the drop of a hat.
That power, however, is not entirely our own. There is an even greater power lying just beneath the surface of all that generosity. Although some might deny it and claim that it’s simply the best of human nature, there is a heavenly force that drives good people to share their bounty and their bodies. The force comes from the creator and sustainer of the universe and originates right in that creator’s heart. We call that force love, and it is the single greatest power in the universe.
Sure, it takes a lot of energy to move the very earth upon which we stand, but that’s nothing compared to the energy that is in God’s loving heart. The power of love reaches beyond time and space. It has no limits and no end. Delicate enough to touch the tiniest heart, yet mighty enough to move millions of people, it is the single greatest gift God offers to us. To know that love is to feel God’s ultimate power. To share that love is to wield God’s ultimate power. Just look at the amazing work possible when love puts it’s mind to it and you’ll know what I mean. At least that’s the way I see it.