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| Flooding of a residential area in southern England earlier in the year |
Here in the North East of Scotland we have been enjoying a fairly mild winter. There have been heavy downpours of rain, but that is what people in this region have come to expect every winter. They have learned to put up with it. And there has been very little snow to speak of. The amount of rainfall has been a bit higher than in years past, but not enough to cause serious problems. We've not had the devastating storms and flooding that people down south in England and Wales have been experiencing this winter. My thoughts and prayers go out to the people in southern Britain who have had to contend with meteorological forces that pounded them from early October through late February. The storms and the heavy rains may have let up, but the devastation that they wrought surrounds and engulfs the people. I feel heartbroken for them.
I find it difficult to comprehend the ferocity of the storms that battered areas down south. They came in different forms: powerful tidal surges; strong, mighty winds; downpours of heavy rains; massive flooding of rivers that broke through built-up and reinforced banks; and pounding ocean waves that destroyed seaside dwellings. The storms have now subsided, but people are still in a state of shock as they begin to come to terms with the immensity of the damage and begin to sort out the massive mess that has inundated their homes and communities. Over 5000 residences and businesses have been flooded and abandoned. There have been power outages and disruption of travel. The economic and human toll continues to mount day by day. There is massive damage and disruption. Individuals, families, and communities face enormous challenges for years to come. Even though I live way up in the security of the north east, I feel helpless when faced with the pictures and reports of the damage and devastation down south.
During the start of the season of storms, there was the strong expectation by the people in these affected areas that the government would act decisively to solve the problems that would be brought on by the forces of nature. But the reality became apparent that there was little the government could do in the face of these mighty forces. People have felt a range of emotions: frustration, anger, and disappointment regarding the government's response. It was found lacking in its ability to provide substantial resources in the face of these storms and floods. The government seemed incompetent and meagre in its response. What strikes me about Scottish people in particular and British people in general is their belief that the central government can solve the immense problems of society, if only given enough time. Perhaps this belief is a belief that the Brits share with other people in Western Europe and North America. It is the belief that a strong central government will solve all our problems. But the government was overwhelmed by the immensity of the forces that wreaked havoc on the people of Britain.
I affirm the importance and necessity of the significant role the national government plays in the running of society. But I also see the limits of the power of the central government to deal with serious problems of society. Here in the UK a strong central government continually struggles with issues of national health care and social issues. In the USA the current administration of President Obama promotes the federal government's Affordable Care Act and exhibits the belief in the redeeming power of the federal government. I do believe in the importance of government at all levels, including the local community level. But as I have read history, politics, and theology, I testify to the radical inability of central government to promote the general welfare and prosperity of the people under its jurisdiction. There are limits to what big government can do. But let us pray in support of the people who even now are seeking to move on with their lives after such devastation.
Blessings to you and yours,
I find it difficult to comprehend the ferocity of the storms that battered areas down south. They came in different forms: powerful tidal surges; strong, mighty winds; downpours of heavy rains; massive flooding of rivers that broke through built-up and reinforced banks; and pounding ocean waves that destroyed seaside dwellings. The storms have now subsided, but people are still in a state of shock as they begin to come to terms with the immensity of the damage and begin to sort out the massive mess that has inundated their homes and communities. Over 5000 residences and businesses have been flooded and abandoned. There have been power outages and disruption of travel. The economic and human toll continues to mount day by day. There is massive damage and disruption. Individuals, families, and communities face enormous challenges for years to come. Even though I live way up in the security of the north east, I feel helpless when faced with the pictures and reports of the damage and devastation down south.
During the start of the season of storms, there was the strong expectation by the people in these affected areas that the government would act decisively to solve the problems that would be brought on by the forces of nature. But the reality became apparent that there was little the government could do in the face of these mighty forces. People have felt a range of emotions: frustration, anger, and disappointment regarding the government's response. It was found lacking in its ability to provide substantial resources in the face of these storms and floods. The government seemed incompetent and meagre in its response. What strikes me about Scottish people in particular and British people in general is their belief that the central government can solve the immense problems of society, if only given enough time. Perhaps this belief is a belief that the Brits share with other people in Western Europe and North America. It is the belief that a strong central government will solve all our problems. But the government was overwhelmed by the immensity of the forces that wreaked havoc on the people of Britain.
I affirm the importance and necessity of the significant role the national government plays in the running of society. But I also see the limits of the power of the central government to deal with serious problems of society. Here in the UK a strong central government continually struggles with issues of national health care and social issues. In the USA the current administration of President Obama promotes the federal government's Affordable Care Act and exhibits the belief in the redeeming power of the federal government. I do believe in the importance of government at all levels, including the local community level. But as I have read history, politics, and theology, I testify to the radical inability of central government to promote the general welfare and prosperity of the people under its jurisdiction. There are limits to what big government can do. But let us pray in support of the people who even now are seeking to move on with their lives after such devastation.
Blessings to you and yours,
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