Lent Devotional: RestoreSample

Restore: A picture of restoration

After the surge waters of typhoon Haiyan laid waste to the Philippines' landscape in late 2013, many coastal residents, understandably, began to fear the water. These waters, that had previously brought life and pleasure to the island communities, were now tainted with the threat of unprecedented destructive power.

When I visited one of the communities where the typhoon first made landfall, life was beginning to sprout up through the earth once more. While many still lacked homes, hospitals, and schools, the work of restoration was taking place all around. Walking past electricians untangling vast webs of electrical wire and carpenters piecing together a roof, I was shocked to see a face, beaming up at me from the brown swirl of the river.

After reassuring me, UIderico explained that he was part of a Tearfund team cleaning the river of storm debris. Once clean, the healthy waterway would be able to carry dangerous floodwaters away from their precious rice crop when the heavy rains next came. I left deeply impressed with the careful stewardship of the earth that I’d seen; work that meant future generations would be safer in the event of disaster. But more than this, the picture of Ulderico, an elderly man stepping bravely into those waters, loving his home back to wholeness, lingered long afterwards in my mind.

Father, we thank you for the wonderful planet that you have entrusted us with.

Jesus, we ask forgiveness for the ways in which we have damaged and continue to harm our home.

Spirit, may we seek your wisdom in the decisions we make, understanding that you have placed us in close relationship with your creation and its global community. 

Amen.

Tom Price, Photographer