God is watching over you and He will give you peace. There are things in life that can happen, might happen, will probably happen, we just don’t know in advance when.

Right now Hurricane Erin is on its way towards Hurricane Alley, with a certain degree of uncertainty where exactly it will be by midweek. I must say, I am impressed how scientists can predict the path of storms anyway. But while I am writing this we don’t know yet: will it be a direct hit for Bermuda, a close pass, or will it be well off, if possible not only to us, but any country along its way?

Bermudians are hurricane-smart

Bermuda and its people have a lot of experience with hurricanes. In fact, Bermuda became a settlement because of a hurricane. In 1609 the Sea Venture more or less purposely was run into the Bermuda reefs to find shelter on the island.

We know about hurricanes, how powerful and destructive they can be, also how to prepare for them and reduce the risks. We have respect for nature’s power and often unpredictable mysterious ways.

Be still and know I am God

When a hurricane comes close it is for me also a moment of awe and wonder. I have to think of the psalm verse: “Be still and know I am God.” (Psalm 46:10a, NIV)

Think of the immense energy in such a system. Google’s AI says “a typical hurricane releases energy equivalent to about half the planet's total electrical generating capacity”.

It also holds billions of metric tonnes of water (mind you, even a normal thunderstorm cloud can easily hold 50 million or more tons of water).

Clouds are not light and puffy, they are very heavy, and they only float up there, because the individual drops are so tiny that they get pushed up by warm rising air. Lucky for us we don’t have huge areas where the rain would collect and cause horrific floods, we normally just get some flooded roads.

Fearing God is to respect his might and trust him

All in all, being prepared and cautious, we usually fare somewhat safer, compared to many other places in the same circumstances, and our people are hurricane-wise and God-fearing. We pray and ask God for protection.

Do not be afraid

Christ told his disciples again and again: Be prepared. In Luke 12: 32-40 we find some thoughts about being prepared for the afterlife. You could put the headline in front of it: “Do not fear, God is near.”

He starts off with encouragement: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”(NRSV)

Wow, what a promise. That is what really matters. While we spend here only a few years, maybe 70, 80 or 90, we will be there in eternity.

Most of us know that it is so much more than to secure the financial future here, so we should not hang our heart on it. There are things that matter so much more.

Love is the answer

We are called to love God with all our heart and our neighbour as ourselves. Christ continues: “Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in Heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

A loving heart will take care of those in need, not just of the own future. In Matthew 6:24 (NIV) Jesus says: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

Martin Luther explained it this way: “What you hang your heart on, that is actually your god.”

We all know the way this world is organised, we do need money. That is not the point. Money is an instrument, a means not an end.

Christ just warns us not to put too much value in material things. Just before our story there is the parable of the rich fool who had more than enough, except time.

What Christ tries to say is that riches don’t buy you eternal life. The things in life that really matter are not matter at all. It is virtues and values; how we treat each other.

Be prepared now

Then Christ reminds his listeners to be prepared for the unavoidable, He uses an example saying: think of a master who is invited to a wedding in another village. When he comes home, he wants his household employees to be ready for him.

Today he might have used an example from a coming-off-age movie along the lines of: “Think of teenagers who are alone at home while the parents are travelling. The parents might come home unexpectedly and the house better be in a somewhat good condition. If they find their children well prepared they may reward them and they can have a great time together.”

His last example is that of a thief who breaks into a house. If the house owner knew when a thief was coming, there would be no break-in. It is a reminder to be vigilant and remember that the time when our own end might come, is not revealed to us.

God is control even in chaotic times

While it sometimes might feel that the world is getting crazy, we have to remember that it is only a few who don’t care much about life, values, God, and their neighbour. Some mislead individuals who cause chaos.

The majority of people want peace. I am still convinced that God is in control in the end, and he is pleased when we put our trust in him and thus be prepared. Yes, we are allowed to enjoy life in this world, and we can trust God that we will enjoy the life in the world to come even more.

Being ambassadors of Christ

Until then let us be ambassadors of Christ, shining our light as bright as we can in every moment possible. Imagine if we did this, this world would be a place filled with healing, hope, love and everlasting peace among people.

Let’s fuel our lives with thoughts of goodness and love for our fellow human beings and pray for each and every child, man and woman, and all living creatures inhabiting this planet Earth.

May we learn to live in harmony and love – the greatest commandment of all. Let us overcome the destructive forces and negativity in our society and our world with love. Let us remind each other and ourselves of true values, of love, hope and faith.

We have a God who helps, who renews and who leads us to fresh waters and green pastures. As a Beatles fan whose whole family likes them, I say: “All you need is love” – love that feeds trust and growth.

• Karsten Decker is a German theologian with a double degree equivalent to an MTheol and MDiv. He studied in Marburg (Germany), Knoxville (USA), and Toronto (Canada) and comes from a united church of Lutheran and Reformed Churches. He was the pastor of Peace Lutheran Church in Bermuda from 2010 to 2017, and after returning from Germany is now the temporary pulpit supply at Centenary United Methodist Church in Smith’s