Nashville, Tennessee, is one of my favorite cities in the
world. Its natural beauty is coupled with a remarkable commitment to academic
excellence. Sometimes called the “Athens of the South,” it is home to
outstanding universities and a vibrant cultural life. A number of
denominational headquarters and ministry offices call the city home as well.
My love for the area makes the pictures coming out of western and central Tennessee today especially personal. Tornadoes gashed through the region early this morning, with the worst damage centered in and around Nashville. The Tennessee Emergency Management Agency says at least nineteen people were killed across four counties. There are fears that the death toll could climb as first responders continue to search for victims.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper tweeted, “Nashville is hurting and our community has been devastated. My heart goes out to those who have lost loved ones. Be sure to lend a helping hand to a neighbor in need, and let’s come together as a community once more. Together, we will get through this and come out stronger.”
The mayor’s grief for his city is just what any mayor of any
city should feel. And my grief for an area I love is natural for someone with
my experience as well.
Here’s the remarkable news: God loves every town as the
Nashville mayor loves Nashville.
Two facts for grieving souls and those who care for them
Every community is as special to him as if it were the only
community on earth. Every person is as special to him as if they were the only
person on earth. The old saying is true: If you were the only sinner who had
ever lived, Jesus would have died just the same, just for you.
Two reminders follow.
One: When tragedy strikes, we can turn to God for the
hope we cannot find.
Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and other disasters
are a fact of life on this broken planet. So are diseases. So are the
consequences of sinful…
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