REDEMPTIVE DISASTERS

To the latter, the Bible tells us the rain falls on the just and the unjust. The judging hand of God is not ours to wield; strident declarers of judgment need pause long enough to consider if they are really “worthy” to stand. We live only by the mercy of a loving God.

The tsunami in Southeast Asia has now claimed over 200,000 lives. The tally will climb with spreading disease birthed from unclean conditions, unsafe drinking water, from possible malaria outbreaks due to mosquito populations borne in the acres of standing stagnant water throughout the region. Lives were lost, families and friends torn apart; homes and businesses destroyed, and chaos has reigned supreme. Multitudes of children were made orphans in a heartbeat of time. They now bear their own name--“the tsunami generation.”

Of one issue we may be forthright and certain. It is right, appropriate, and of paramount importance that Christian people everywhere join in with, and in fact, lead the actions of help, charity, rebuilding, feeding, clothing, sheltering, medically treating, and demonstrating to millions God’s love. Christians must help proffer tangible assistance in this heart wrenching hour.

As Christians, let our hearts break with a compassionate spirit of concern; let us bring solution, hope, help and light in a grief stricken part of the earth. Let us visibly demonstrate Jesus by doing “unto others what we would have them do unto us.”

“For God so loved the world that He gave…” That is our call and commission. Give. Give responsibly to organizations that tangibly help the victims of such disaster. Give from the overflow of your own blessings; give even from the neediness of your own life, and you will discover a joy unspeakable in the time of giving.

A nation cannot be great unless its people are good. Let us be both.
When we are, we are like God in this earth. Then we can help turn a tragic time of heartbreak into a Redemptive Disaster.