Thousand Points of Light

The media gravitates toward news that will attract attention - which is why often the news is more on the negative side. We hear of some tragedy or scandal, and so we listen, watch, and read more closely than if it was a "positive" news piece. I think this is why we've seen barefoot people tromping through their toxic mud-filled homes rather than seeing the truly great things happening in and around this city.

I'm not immune to this. When I heard about the devastation brought to Aid to Women, I wanted to know more. When I heard about a couple of incidents that happened at the checkpoints, I listened more closely (and even mentioned it on my blog).

20 years ago, George Bush Sr. said in his inauguration speech, "I have spoken of a thousand points of light, of all the community organizations that are spread like stars throughout the Nation, doing good. We will work hand in hand, encouraging, sometimes leading, sometimes being led, rewarding." While the media points to the moments of darkness and trial to attract eyes, I'd like to point to some of the "thousand points of light" happening in Cedar Rapids.

First, my very own church is one. I am so proud of my church family at this moment. They have simply been amazing. From organizing the North Water Distribution site outside of Sam's Club, to turning in hundreds of volunteer applications, to jumping into the muck with fellow church family members to clean their walls, basements, and more - the family of New Covenant have rallied like I could have ever dreamed.

Second, I'd like to mention Serve the City. Roughly two (maybe three) years ago, Serve the City (STC) began as a coalition of likeminded churches who wanted to see the city of Cedar Rapids be aware of who Jesus Christ is. Rather than be a bunch of blowhards who simply yell at others about Jesus, we wanted to truly build relationships with those who are living life without a relationship to Christ. So the 37 churches and 7 ministries that teamed up to form STC simply began talking about "prayer, care, share." And truly this is what they did. They began to pray for the city. And they began to care. So when the floods happened, God already had STC in place to extend that care in deeper ways than we could have ever imagined.

I talked with Officer Yardley (who I mentioned in a post on Tuesday, June 17) on the phone today. He was calling to thank me for my kind words (some how he found this blog - so I guess I have 4 readers now). As we talked, he went on and on about the incredible acts of kindness he saw happening all over the city, many of them coming from STC volunteers. He gushed about the STC volunteers he has interacted with this past week, and he said he truly could not have done his job without them. He pointed out that many of the stories of the amazing things STC volunteers have done might never be heard - and so I'm doing my small part to make them known. They truly have been a point of light in the middle of this dark time for Cedar Rapids.

Third, I have been very impressed with the Red Cross volunteers. I watched Peter Teahen of the Red Cross (and Cedar Rapids native) lead the Rompot Neighborhood meeting on Tuesday night. He was incredible. He empathized with people. He gave them permission to feel the emotions raging through their minds. He affirmed their questions as being good and valid. But he also wanted to help them move forward. His kind demeanor helped to keep the meeting calm, when it could have been volatile (why else do you think they had 10 chaplains and 10 cops there! :o).

As Peter and other leaders from FEMA, SBA, city, police, and other groups talked to the people, Red Cross volunteers were passing out waters and snacks to all those in attendance. Some of these volunteers have come from thousands of miles away just so they can hand someone a water bottle to keep them going another day.

Fourth, I want to mention Watershed. For the summer, they decided to make the 2nd Thursday a "serving Thursday" rather than gather for worship through song and teaching like they usually do. Because the floods hit on Thursday, they served together last Saturday in various ways around the city. They are also helping a local ministry both with donations and time. And tonight they are going to be praying for the flood victims (both those who lost homes, and those who lost jobs), volunteers, city leaders, and more.

As I think about these points of light in these 4 groups, I am wondering if what has happened in Cedar Rapids could happen in a larger or smaller city. Smaller towns usually don't have the resources a city of our size has. Yet larger cities don't have the relationships the way a city of our size has. I think this might be part of the reason why Cedar Rapids has been able to respond in such amazing ways to this epic flood. But another reason why Cedar Rapids has been able to rally like this is because of the thousand points of light God has either put in place, or brought in for such a time as this.

So while the tough things the news reports are probably true, know that for every tough story you hear about the recovery of Cedar Rapids, a thousand more positive things are happening. Cedar Rapids is truly shining bright! To God be the Glory!