Japan's nuclear power–under God's care
Originally appeared on spirituality.com
News of increasingly serious difficulties at Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power plants deeply touched my heart, as I considered the challenge of addressing so many complex problems at a time when public safety was at risk. It also transported me back to 1979 and the Three Mile Island nuclear disaster. My parents lived within the 50-mile radius of the plant, which at that time was considered the danger zone.
Living in New England, I had gone to an oceanside park to pray about Three Mile Island and my parents’ safety. While I was there, I asked myself why Jesus, who had no technological background, was able to control the winds and the waves, but modern humans with all their knowledge could not. The thought that came to me was that Jesus had a spiritual sense of dominion over these forces. He knew that God was the only power, and that knowledge made him fearless. It also gave him the mental freedom to do what needed to be done in any case.
As it was the outcome of divine Spirit, the power Jesus wielded wasn’t material. It was and is spiritual. It’s a power you and I can call on in our prayers for Japan and the courageous workers who are trying to remedy the situation. This power isn’t subject to fear and limitations. It has no favorites. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer of Christian Science, wrote: “In divine Science, where prayers are mental, all may avail themselves of God as ‘a very present help in trouble.’ Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals” (Science and Health, pp. 12-13 ). In short, no matter where in the world one is—or even who one is—prayer to God, divine Love, is heard and is able to save and heal. It operates continuously in our midst, helping and guiding us 24/7.
Being omnipotent, God’s power never knows a shortage or a shutdown. As the expression of divine Love’s authority, it is fearless and able to impart this quality to each individual facing the crisis. Christian Science presents God as the one Mind or divine intelligence, and this Mind can guide the workers, the government, and individual citizens to make wise decisions, especially when they face the unexpected.
Under God’s care, each individual can be protected from ill effects from the radiation through wisdom and also through our recognition that divine Spirit doesn’t contain anything evil or harmful. In the atmosphere of Spirit, only good is present, and this is where the nuclear plant staff and all the citizens in the surrounding zone can dwell. Our love can reach out and embrace all of Japan in this atmosphere of goodness and purity.
God’s love and power are available to nuclear workers and other citizens in Japan right now. The divine presence is Christ’s love in action—guiding, guarding, and restoring. Christ imparts the strength to perform the necessary tasks, intelligence to understand what is needed, hope that perseveres under difficulties, and love for their fellow citizens that will guide their decisions. This is the power that Jesus exhibited in healing people of horrible diseases and lifting others out of serious troubles. It gave him dominion over storms at sea and even over death itself.
While the problems that still need to be solved may seem overwhelming, the Christ will guide each individual to make sound choices and support the right outcome for the Japanese people as they rebuild their homes and businesses. The beauty and joy of their island home are spiritual and still present. Our prayers can help them see that and lead them to restoration and healing.