Last year, I wrote something similar to these realizations in relation to natural disasters. In July, I wrote Basyang’s Bashings to present some of the reflections that I had during and after that storm devastated the metro to the extent of cutting down power for hours (to some areas even days).
Today, as I monitor the progress of this “triple whammy” (term used in PDI) that devastated Japan, I am being reminded of the things that I have learned last year.
Oriental Paintings
Back in college, I got too engrossed with our Humanities subject. I was tasked to report about the History of Painting. I liked my topic so much that I have later on found myself going back to the library, borrowing the same book, and reading as much as I can about paintings. I can’t remember all of the things that I have read, but certain lessons remained. One of them is the message behind “oriental paintings”, i.e. ancient Chinese and Japanese paintings. Most of their paintings present mountains, forests, waves, in short, nature—it’s beauty and its power. In almost all the paintings that I have seen, rarely would you see a human, lest a house. If ever you see one, it would be as small as it could be, juxtaposed with the majestic environment from which it lies.
I was in my sophomore year back then, and for a young student starting to discover the bridge between art and philosophy, I started to learn how Taoism regards humans—a speck of dust compared to the vastness of nature. That is who we are, powerless against nature.
But just this morning, as I talk to God in my morning devotion, he reminded and calmed me. Psalms 46:2-3 says:
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride.
Indeed, amidst the paranoia and mass hysteria that this tragedy in Japan brought the world, we should not tremble because despite being powerless against nature, this nature is powerless against God!
Oriental paintings should constantly remind us of the power and magnificence of nature over humans. However, a deeper realization should be: If this is how powerful nature is, how much more is God’s powers? The Lord who created and bestowed power to this nature?
Man’s quest for knowledge: an exercise in futility
Just a few months ago in our regular discussions, I told Kay that I’m starting to understand what Oscar Wilde teaches in “The Importance of Being Earnest”. Back in college, I couldn’t really comprehend his wisdom when he constantly says that humans prioritize the trivialities of life. Last year, Basyang taught me what Wilde tried to illustrate through his play. Today, Japan’s triple whammy reminded me of that lesson: the futility of man’s quest for knowledge, for power.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with researches and technological advancements, but we might as well start realizing why we’re doing (or overdoing) it. Is it really to help advance learning and make living more convenient than before? Or is it because of our quest for supremacy?
Come to think of it, EVERYTHING as in EVERYTHING that man created will eventually be DESTROYED, will eventually be WASTED. Man’s inventions lead to wastes, wastes lead to deaths—toxicity that will eventually suffocate us. But God’s creations last. In death springs life, in destruction comes restoration.
Wilde is correct. We always make treat trivial things with utmost seriousness, to the level of stupidity. We always try to look for improvements, for innovations, for power, without realizing that in this quest, something slowly disintegrates: our ability to become human.
Japan’s nuclear meltdown brought us back to the basics of energy sources. In the midst of the cold and dark night, we rely on fire. In the height of internet disconnection and unstable communication, we turn back to the basics of communication—talk; we should really start talking to God regularly.
Watered
So many episodes in the Bible present water—its ability to provide food, its power to draw anxiety among the hearts of men, its power to clean, among others. How north eastern Japan was swept by the power of water should “water” us with lessons and realizations: that we are powerless against nature, that our quest for power and supremacy through technological advancements is futile.
However, it should also remind us of truths: that Jesus calms the raging storms (Matthew 8:26), that “He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness” (Psalms 23:2-3).
Why entertain paranoia when our God is bigger than our problems? Why mind mass hysteria when we are sure that God is on our side?
