What caused Hurricane Katrina? You can get all kinds of responses to that question. Some are saying that it is God's judgment on New Orleans for its wickedness. Others think it is God's wrath on the US for being a part of forcing Jews out of the Gaza Strip. Still others think it is "Mother Nature" crying out that she is in pain because of global warming and our environmental policies.
There is something in us that wants an explanation, a reason for a disaster like this - just like we did for 9/11 and for the Asian tsunami.
But I want to be very cautious of speaking where God doesn't. I don't want to speculate on if God is punishing someone or what his motives might be. If God hasn't explicitly revealed to us what he is doing, then it is probably best that we keep quiet and concentrate on the things we do know for certain: We know that God calls us to respond with compassion, with generosity, and with sacrifice. We know that God calls us who have to share with those who have not.
I was reminded of this passage from Luke 13:1-5::
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them - do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
Jesus doesn't give a reason for the tragedies mentioned. He just uses them as a reminder that we need to make sure our lives our in order.
There is something in us that wants an explanation, a reason for a disaster like this - just like we did for 9/11 and for the Asian tsunami.
But I want to be very cautious of speaking where God doesn't. I don't want to speculate on if God is punishing someone or what his motives might be. If God hasn't explicitly revealed to us what he is doing, then it is probably best that we keep quiet and concentrate on the things we do know for certain: We know that God calls us to respond with compassion, with generosity, and with sacrifice. We know that God calls us who have to share with those who have not.
I was reminded of this passage from Luke 13:1-5::
Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them - do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
Jesus doesn't give a reason for the tragedies mentioned. He just uses them as a reminder that we need to make sure our lives our in order.
1 comment:
I remember after september 11th, I saw something on-line addressing the question 'where was God in all of this',, they said that there were less people in the building than should have been, they stood for longer than they should have, and half a dozen other things I can't remember righ now. And it's not that they're wrong, and it's not that those aren't awesome things. It's that, to me at least, it's a sidestep of the main point- an event of great pain occured, and event of loss, an event worthy of mouning. Not that these small mercies are not welcomed, but God is always present- both in times of joy, and times of pain. God is in New Orleans, with those who escaped, and those still trapped there. I am convinced of that.
sorry for my ramblings,,, and oh yeah, untill I figure out how to log in an account, this is Joey :)
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