I grew up in a small Missouri town on the Mississippi River. The stores on Main Street next to the river bore the scars of past floods. That's why I always take note when the mighty river floods.

The Mississippi is at near record levels this week. Memphis, Tennessee is experiencing severe flooding and towns south along the river are bracing for the onslaught of water moving their way. Reports are talking about this year's flooding reaching near the historic flood levels of 1927 and 1937. But because massive public works projects erected flood walls and diversion channels it is unlikely the towns will see the same amount of damage. But that is little comfort to residents who have already had to leave their homes for temporary shelter till the waters subside. Flooding is a fact of life along this river and despite the protective measures taken over the decades the danger is still there.

This year's floods have been created by unusually high amounts of rain in the Ohio and Mississippi River basins. Rainfall amounts this spring were 600% above normal in one two week stretch. The rainy spell has subsided and warmer temperatures in the region are expected in the coming days. This should create better conditions and a receding of the water. People along the river are holding their breath that the walls will hold and the waters recede.

The Mississippi is a very powerful river. At these levels water is moving at more that 2 million cubic feet per second. That's enough to fill a football field to 44 feet. At that rate the river can create new channels and features in the landscape. Something it has always done.

It has been an unusual weather pattern this spring in the midwest and south. The violent tornadoes that swept through the south two weeks ago are some of the strongest in memory. It is a reminder of how quickly the weather can develop and change to create problems with the the economy, the lives  and habits of a nation.

Last October a massive weather system swept across North America. It reached from the deep south to the Canadian border spawning tornadoes, thunderstorms and hurricane force winds. Meteorologists were mesmerized as they watched it move across the country. Most had seen nothing like it. Weather patterns like this should make us realize not only the power of nature but that God in heaven controls these forces and often uses them to command the attention of people and nations who have forsaken Him.

Could we be seeing the trailing edge of a set of events carefully orchestrated and timed to get our attention and call us to repentance? With other events taking place in the world it is a timely opportunity to consider how God works His will among the people He loves.