Grace and Peace to you from the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I wonder how many of you like thunderstorms?

The amazing power of thunder and the blinding flash of lighting cause many reactions.

Having been a dog owner I always dreaded thunderstorms as our dog was absolutely terrified of them.

I take some responsibility for this as I believe she was traumatized by being left alone as a puppy during a storm and it affected her whole being.

When we returned home we had to search for the dog as she was hiding.

Literally shaking and exhausted from the ordeal of being left alone in such a scary situation.

Ever since that day we are always more careful and aware of the weather when the dog was left alone.

Even a slight pressure change would get her pacing the room and this was both a reminder of her fragility and a warning of weather to come.

It’s amazing how animals can teach us about life.

Last week I was relaxing in the parsonage and I suddenly saw a flash of light.

Immediately I felt the anxious tightening in my stomach and waited for the crash of thunder.

I bet that’s how our dog felt. Fortunately I wasn’t alone and we waited, wondering what it would be like to have the power go out here in Finland.

The temperature was above freezing, but the wind was howling and the rain was blowing sideways.

It felt like being below deck on a large boat and watching the waves and water spray the window.

Next I started to think about where to go and what to do, traits learned over many years of storms.

Thankfully I had my wife with me and together we would make it through. A little prayer for our safety was added too.

When we face difficult situations in life I find that I seek safety first.

Most of all I react in a “fix it” mode that tries to identify the problem and seek solutions.

I have slowly been learning that trying to fix things and not look at the underlying cause can be frustrating and sometimes push people away.

Just like our dog depended on our relationship and presence for protection, when I push other people away I tend to sacrifice my relationship with them.

I had to accept that I couldn’t fix my dog’s anxiety, I could only love her and be there for her.

That reality helps me understand God’s steadfast love for us no matter what.

Instead of turning away from God and trying to fix it myself, I begin by turning toward God.

In John’s gospel for today we have one of the best known verses of the bible.

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”

All of today’s readings help point us to the light and life of God.

Our God who knows we struggle with sin and poor choices, yet our God who is there for us.

God breaks into our lives with Jesus.

Giving his only Son, as an invitation to faith.

Faith that believes God is in relationship with us for eternity when we believe.

Fortunately when we struggle and turn away the light is always shining; sometimes we just need to turn around.

Like the brilliance of the transfiguration, Jesus is the light of life. People who got to know Jesus saw and felt something special. Crowds gathered to see him, maybe to touch him and be healed.

Seeing Jesus on the cross is a healing and life giving event; although it doesn’t look like it.

Just like Jesus might not have looked like; the Son of God, the Messiah, the King.

Thankfully he was all of that, for us.

When the Israelites were complaining and afraid in the desert they were only thinking about themselves.

They were losing faith and trust not only in Moses, but in God. So God sent poisonous snakes amongst them and many died.

That got their attention, immediately they realized what they had done and they needed help.

“We have sinned by speaking against the Lord, and against you,” asking Moses to fix it.

God tells Moses to make a poisonous serpent out of bronze and put it on a pole, if someone was bitten they had to look at the serpent pole and live.

In a similar fashion we look at Jesus crucified and we live.

The cross dramatically gets our attention to what we have done through our own sin.

We put Jesus on the cross, but we are also on that cross with Jesus. Our relationship is born out of love.

By God who so loved the world that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but have eternal life.

That doesn’t mean that our choice to turn to God is taken away, but we are invited to share in the mystery of faith.

A faith that boldly proclaims Jesus as Lord.

While thunderstorms still put me on edge I remember that my dog looked to me for comfort in a time of trial.

Much like walking in the light and doing the right thing when the world tries to sell an easy fix, I need to remember my faith in God who loves me.

God who loves everyone, through the victory on the cross.

For this we can say, “Thanks be to God.” Amen