Column: There is no easy answer to the question: 'Why did God allow this to happen?'

Food for Thought by Lorna Tunstall

I cannot get the images and stories from the recent earthquake that has hit Turkey and Syria from my mind.

It is believed the death count has reached more than 40,000, a number that tragically is expected to increase once the full extent of the damage is known. The harsh weather with freezing temperatures is adding extra challenges to the relief efforts already in place.

As we watch the scenes unfolding on our TV screens from the safety of our own homes, we can feel a little distanced from it all; we feel so helpless as to think how we can make a difference. How can we possibly help?

A scene in which those searching through the rubble came to an abrupt halt, has had a lasting impact on me. Traffic was halted and everything fell silent for a few moments so that they could listen out for signs of life amongst the mountains of rubble.

You could hear a pin drop and then miraculously a sound is heard, and another person is pulled out of the rubble. These moments are followed by huge waves of emotion, clapping, cheering and of course plenty of tears of relief. Sadly, as time goes on these miracles are becoming less frequent.

Whenever natural disasters like this strike it is understandable that people can ask the questions: Why did God allow this to happen? or Where is God in all of this? There is no easy answer to this, and yet I see God at work every time a miracle of a life saved occurs.

I see God at work through all the people that have pulled together in the region to work at sifting through the rubble, often with no thought for their own safety. I see God at work in all the relief agencies that have rallied round to support in whatever way possible.

I see God at work in the generous outpouring of giving from around the world that has been collected over such a short period of time. I see God at work in the vigils and prayers that have been held over the past few days attended by people of all faiths and none.

I pray that those that have lost loved ones to this terrible disaster will, in time, also feel the presence of God’s loving arms holding them in their grief.

The bible is full of cataclysmic events in which the presence of God can be felt. In the Old Testament we have the story of Elijah who had run away to the wilderness to die. Elijah is hiding in a cave until he is told to go outside to seek the presence of the Lord who is about to pass by.

Elijah witnesses a great and powerful wind that tears the mountains apart and shatters the rock, and yet God’s presence was not found in this wind. Next there was a devastating earthquake, but God was not found in this either. After the earthquake came an almighty fire but God was also not found in the fire.

It was only after all these terrifying events had passed, that God was found. He was found in the silence that followed, in the gentle whisper that encouraged Elijah to keep going, to not give up hope.

At times of human disaster and tragedy such as the recent earthquake we need to take extra effort to listen for that gentle whisper nudging us on and giving us hope. We need to listen to the quiet still voice within us asking what is it that we are going to do now, and how can we make a difference?

A short service of prayers and reflection will be held at 6pm today – Sunday, February 19 – at Clyne Church of Scotland, Brora for all those impacted by this recent tragedy. All are welcome to attend.

Rev Lorna Tunstall is the Church of Scotland minister at Brora and Helmsdale.

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