| ||
Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2005 | ||
The blessings of Katrina
By JOHN HATCHER Katrina evacuees are proving to be a great blessing in the life of Outreach International Center, the church I am honored to serve as pastor. Really! Because of Katrina and her displacement of New Orleans folk, the worship life of our church has taken on increased fervor. Not so much because of the realization that we should be grateful, but actually because of the participation of these displaced believers. Take Vernon Abadie. He and his wife are two of the hundreds of thousands who have landed on dry land in a different plot of geography. He was into construction in New Orleans. But he, his wife, and close relatives got out just in time before the storm hit and now make their home at their childrens place. We are used to hearing about adult children coming back to live with parents. But Katrina now has made is necessary for many parents to bunk with their children. Back to Vernon. He and his wife, Yvonne, worship God with a powerful, sincere fervor unlike many of us who have had it far easier the last three weeks. He exudes a confidence in the Lord that is faith-building. He sings with conviction. His amens are right on time and right from the heart. Vernon and Yvonne make you believe in a God, if you are perhaps struggling with that question. Jesus would often tell his followers and anyone who would listen, You will know them by their fruits. He, of course, was referring to those who claim him as Lord and Savior. These folks from New Orleans demonstrate the fruit of the Lords reality in their lives. They, of all people, have the right to come to the praise and worship service and say, woe is me. But, they dont. They come praising God with all their strength. I am encouraged by their faith and witness. Who would have ever thought that the displaced evidences of Katrina would lift the level of worship and faith even as the flood waters lifted them out of their homes? But, sure nuff. Right here in Fayetteville we see the blessings of Katrina. In a previous column I lamented something about the toxic stuff that would come out of New Orleans and spread across the country. But there is something greater than the toxin and its the tonic of Gods love and greatness embraced by the survivors. Looking at them praise God and lift their hands to the Lord mitigate totally the idea that they are victims. They are not victims. They are victors. Pope John Paul II once said that the virtue of being is replaced gradually with the virtue of having. When one accepts his sense of purpose and value on what he possesses, a Katrina hits hard. But when one places his value in the being love, joy, peace, no storm, whatever the category, can damage him or her. So, I rejoice that a tonic of the Holy Spirit is finding place throughout the country a tonic that has been nurtured in the church houses of the Gulf Coast. We may have thought that coastal living was only about the sun, surf, and fun. But, now we see before our very eyes that God had been building a great army of love and power along the Gulf Coast of which we are blessed these days. Just think, if Norman Vincent Peale could take a lemon and make lemonade, what can God do with a hurricane? In fact, at a Rotary luncheon it was Dr. Peale who asked J.C. Penney his secret to success. The elder Penney answered, Adversity and Jesus Christ. Many will testify that their point of success was Katrina and Jesus Christ. Praise God. My church, Outreach International Center, rolls out the welcome mat especially to Katrina evacuees. We will welcome you, pray for you, and do everything we can to meet your needs. Thank God for such a privilege. |
|
Copyright 2005-Fayette Publishing, Inc. |