Where is God when the wind howls and the water levels rise? In the midst of disasters such as Hurricane Harvey these are the questions we ask. Even if we are not asking this question verbally, in the quiet contemplations of many, this question resonates consistently. It is the church's responsibility to offer meaningful thoughts that may begin to bring resolution to some of these questions.
I am always leery of suggesting that God has acted with his providential hand against humanity because he is angry, or he is seeking to teach humanity some kind of lesson. This always seems to be our "go to" response. Obviously, God must be doing this in order to achieve some measure of his divine will in the world. However, we might do well to consider that the reason for many of these tragedies may have something to do with the general and long reaching effects of sin upon the world. In times like these, we quickly recall that there are things and events in this world that are well beyond our control.
Admittedly, this kind of answer probably will not bring much comfort to those who are presently suffering in the wake of Harvey. But, I would imagine that very little will offer comfort in times such as these. Yet, perhaps we can find both comfort and resolution in the midst of great devastation. As humans, I believe that we find comfort in the assurance of control and predictability. In other words, we do not like to be taken by surprise, it is both disarming and unsettling. Most of the time, we manage an existence in which we do not have to reflect on such insecurities. Then suddenly, something like Harvey, the death of a loved one, or even a car accident rattles our best efforts and we are left completely exposed. It is in these moments that the potential for unmatchable comfort can be found if you know where to look. If you look for comfort in yourself, your resources, friends, possessions, money, skill, etc... you can be assured that you will not find it. However, there is one who is never taken by surprise or left disarmed and unsettled. Just because God is not the immediate cause of a particular event does not mean that he is any less in control. These events can serve as a reminder that only God can provide our greatest needs.
Why has something such as Harvey occurred? I'm not certain anyone can offer a definitive answer to this question. What I do know is that God is present in the midst of these tragic events. He is present in the person of the Holy Spirit who lives and dwells in his church. Where is God? He is on the ground, dispersing fresh water, rescuing the deserted, and sitting with the distraught. As Jesus reminded his disciples, "in this world YOU WILL have trouble, but fear not I HAVE OVERCOME the world." In this promise, we are reminded that we are insecure in ourselves but completely secure in Christ.
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Thoughts On Harvey
Where is God when the wind howls and the water levels rise? In the midst of disasters such as Hurricane Harvey these are the questions we ask. Even if we are not asking this question verbally, in the quiet contemplations of many, this question resonates consistently. It is the church's responsibility to offer meaningful thoughts that may begin to bring resolution to some of these questions.
I am always leery of suggesting that God has acted with his providential hand against humanity because he is angry, or he is seeking to teach humanity some kind of lesson. This always seems to be our "go to" response. Obviously, God must be doing this in order to achieve some measure of his divine will in the world. However, we might do well to consider that the reason for many of these tragedies may have something to do with the general and long reaching effects of sin upon the world. In times like these, we quickly recall that there are things and events in this world that are well beyond our control.
Admittedly, this kind of answer probably will not bring much comfort to those who are presently suffering in the wake of Harvey. But, I would imagine that very little will offer comfort in times such as these. Yet, perhaps we can find both comfort and resolution in the midst of great devastation. As humans, I believe that we find comfort in the assurance of control and predictability. In other words, we do not like to be taken by surprise, it is both disarming and unsettling. Most of the time, we manage an existence in which we do not have to reflect on such insecurities. Then suddenly, something like Harvey, the death of a loved one, or even a car accident rattles our best efforts and we are left completely exposed. It is in these moments that the potential for unmatchable comfort can be found if you know where to look. If you look for comfort in yourself, your resources, friends, possessions, money, skill, etc... you can be assured that you will not find it. However, there is one who is never taken by surprise or left disarmed and unsettled. Just because God is not the immediate cause of a particular event does not mean that he is any less in control. These events can serve as a reminder that only God can provide our greatest needs.
Why has something such as Harvey occurred? I'm not certain anyone can offer a definitive answer to this question. What I do know is that God is present in the midst of these tragic events. He is present in the person of the Holy Spirit who lives and dwells in his church. Where is God? He is on the ground, dispersing fresh water, rescuing the deserted, and sitting with the distraught. As Jesus reminded his disciples, "in this world YOU WILL have trouble, but fear not I HAVE OVERCOME the world." In this promise, we are reminded that we are insecure in ourselves but completely secure in Christ.
I am always leery of suggesting that God has acted with his providential hand against humanity because he is angry, or he is seeking to teach humanity some kind of lesson. This always seems to be our "go to" response. Obviously, God must be doing this in order to achieve some measure of his divine will in the world. However, we might do well to consider that the reason for many of these tragedies may have something to do with the general and long reaching effects of sin upon the world. In times like these, we quickly recall that there are things and events in this world that are well beyond our control.
Admittedly, this kind of answer probably will not bring much comfort to those who are presently suffering in the wake of Harvey. But, I would imagine that very little will offer comfort in times such as these. Yet, perhaps we can find both comfort and resolution in the midst of great devastation. As humans, I believe that we find comfort in the assurance of control and predictability. In other words, we do not like to be taken by surprise, it is both disarming and unsettling. Most of the time, we manage an existence in which we do not have to reflect on such insecurities. Then suddenly, something like Harvey, the death of a loved one, or even a car accident rattles our best efforts and we are left completely exposed. It is in these moments that the potential for unmatchable comfort can be found if you know where to look. If you look for comfort in yourself, your resources, friends, possessions, money, skill, etc... you can be assured that you will not find it. However, there is one who is never taken by surprise or left disarmed and unsettled. Just because God is not the immediate cause of a particular event does not mean that he is any less in control. These events can serve as a reminder that only God can provide our greatest needs.
Why has something such as Harvey occurred? I'm not certain anyone can offer a definitive answer to this question. What I do know is that God is present in the midst of these tragic events. He is present in the person of the Holy Spirit who lives and dwells in his church. Where is God? He is on the ground, dispersing fresh water, rescuing the deserted, and sitting with the distraught. As Jesus reminded his disciples, "in this world YOU WILL have trouble, but fear not I HAVE OVERCOME the world." In this promise, we are reminded that we are insecure in ourselves but completely secure in Christ.
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