Sunday, Sept. 11, 2005 | ||
Bad Links? | Katrina gives golden opportunity to put faith into action
A disaster like Hurricane Katrina brings out the best and worst in human nature. As we absorbed image after image of heartache and destruction, we were angered at looters who took advantage of a temporarily lawless situation. We were angered at businesses that raised gas prices excessively to make a profit at a time of disaster. Yet, we also shed tears when we saw the images of destruction and the plight of hurting people. Our hearts were moved with compassion as we began to hear the stories of survivors who fought for their lives. We feel for the victims who lost their homes, belongings, and even loved ones. We want to do something, but we don't always know what to do. We want to go, but we feel so helpless. And, now, the victims have come to us. We have the golden opportunity to put faith into action and do good, for as James 4:17 reads, To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. So where do we start? As our governor said, this is a time for Georgians to open their arms and be family to people who are starting over and who need encouragement and support. Jesus was once asked the question, Who is my neighbor? He responded with the story of the Good Samaritan, which is recorded in Luke 10:29-37. Jesus told about a man who was traveling and was ambushed by thieves. He was left for dead. Two different religious leaders passed the man and left him beside the road. A third man, a Samaritan, the least likely person to stop and help a Jew in that culture, saw the man, stopped, tended his wounds, then carried him to an inn, where the man could receive medical attention. He even paid the innkeeper to care for the man until he could return from his journey. Jesus then asked, Which of these three was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves? The man replied, The one who showed mercy on him. The Jesus said, Go and do likewise. So what will you do to help? And what will your church do to minister? A disaster like Katrina also brings out the inevitable question, Why? In his statement on Hurricane Katrina published on his Web site, www.billygraham.org, the great evangelist wrote, Why did God let this happen? I have been asked that question hundreds of times, and I have to confess that I do not know the full answer. I can recall walking through the aftermath of hurricanes in Florida and South Carolina, and a typhoon in India that killed tens of thousands, and earthquakes in California and Guatemala, and every time I have asked, 'Why?' Job in the Bible asked the same question thousands of years ago, and his only answer was that God's ways are often beyond our understanding, and yet He is sovereign and can still be trusted. The Bible says evil is a mystery. Someday we will understand, but not now. I do know this, however: God knows what we are going through, and He still loves us and cares about us. In the midst of suffering and tragedy we can turn to him for the comfort and help we need.wx Times like this will make us react in one of two ways. Either we will become bitter and angry, or we will realize our need of God and turn to him in faith and trust, even if we don't understand. May this tragedy make each of us realize our need of God, and may we turn to Christ in repentance and faith and find our hope in Him. God bless you, Katrina victims. Welcome to Fayette County. We're praying for you, and we welcome you.
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