Last night we had an awesome electrical storm! RuthAnn and I sat in our back yard watching as lightning flashed across the sky. I could understand how people over the ages developed myths about this powerful display. Thinking back to my youth I know that in our house the myth went like this, “Don’t be afraid that is just God’s angels bowling!” It made no sense to me, but I remember repeating it to my own son when he was young, and a storm had frightened him.
As I sat there last night I tried to remember some of the myths I had heard over the years and it led me to where I find myself way to often these days, Google and here is what I found:
Early Greeks believed that lightning was a weapon of Zeus. Thunderbolts were invented by Athena, the goddess of wisdom. Since lightning was a manifestation of the gods, any spot struck by lightning was regarded as sacred. Greek and Roman temples often were erected at these sites, where the gods were worshipped in an attempt to appease them.
The Moslems also attributed lightning and thunder to their god. The Koran says, “He it is who showeth you lightning and launches the thunderbolts.”
Scandinavian mythology alludes to Thor, the thunderer, who was the foe of all demons. Thor tossed lightning bolts at his enemies. Thor also gave us Thurs-day.
In the pantheistic Hindu religion, Indra was the god of heaven, lightning, rain, storms and thunder. The Maruts used the thunderbolts as weapons.
Umpundulo is the lightning bird-god of the Bantu tribesmen in Africa. Even today their medicine men go out in storms and bid the lightning to strike far away.
The Navajo Indians hold that lightning has great power in their healing rituals. Sand paintings show the lightning bolt as a wink in the Thunderbird’s eye. Lightning is associated with wind, rain and crop growth.
As late as the early 1800s in Russia, when rain was wanted, three men climbed a tree. One would knock two firebrands together; the sparks imitating lightning. Another one would pour water over twigs, imitating rain. A third would bang on a kettle to attract the thunder. And throughout early Europe, church bell ringers would make as much noise as possible, hoping to scare away the storms from these holy dwellings which were struck frequently by lightning.
Even Santa Klaus gets into the act with his reindeer Donner (thunder) and Blitzen (lightning).
These are just a few of the many and part of an article from the ‘National Lightning Safety Institute’ the article is called: “Mastery, Mystery and Myths about Lightning” It is filled with lots of info so if I have peaked your interest check it out.
As for me, I found it interesting, but it is only when I turn to the Word of God that I see lightning’s true source: “It is He who made the earth by His power, who established the world by His wisdom; And by His understanding He stretched out the heavens. When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in heaven. And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain. And brings forth the wind from His storehouses. (Jeremiah 10: 12-13) I am sure there are those who consider this as just another myth, that God has anything to do with an electrical storm but sitting there last night I could feel His power and know it was His majesty that supplies such displays.
There was another thought that went through my mind as I sat there, the second coming of Jesus Christ. As the lightning was traveling across the sky the words of Jesus kept repeating, “For as lightning that comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:27) I felt joy yet foreboding, soon a storm is coming that will wash away this sin ridden planet and Jesus will come, “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with power and glory.” (Mark 13:26) And as I watched the awesome display I had to ponder if I am ready. Sadly, I could not answer yes.
We headed into the house as the storm moved past us and as I lay in bed, I had only one prayer, “Lord help me to be ready. That I may surrender all to you and your will be done in my life.” There was still flashes and thunder rumbling in the distance, but I felt more at peace. I understood that God is in His heaven and at that moment all was right in my world. But as a new day begins I pray to close my eyes and see the power of last night’s display and remember the words of Jeremiah the prophet, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart,” (Jeremiah 29:13) May that be true today for me and for you too!
Blessings John
6/4/18
