Where is God in Disasters?

Storm damage - clean up in progress

Destruction everywhere - seemingly endless

Then the chainsaws began to buzz ...

Shovels and rakes and implements of destruction began to reshape and reclaim the landscape ...

Faith in action ... God at work through many hands ....

Power tools are a girl's best friend

THIS is America ... no mudslinging ... no politics ... just love and grace in a community of believers reaching out to those in need

Why do so many folks tend to focus on the gloom and gore of disasters? What about the good? Rather than ask "How could God permit this tragedy?", why not look for God's love and grace amid the tragedy?

These images are from local disasters of an EF1 tornado in the Charlotte/Potterville (MI) area in 2008 and a wind and hail storm in the Charlotte area in 2009. In 2011, we witnessed even more horrific natural disasters around the globe .... from the earth quake and tsunami in Japan to the EF5 tornado in Joplin, MO. Stemming from these tragic events, headlines have read: "Why does God allow natural disasters?" (BBC News Magazine; http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8467755.stm).  Still others ask: "Is God punishing us with natural disasters?" Is God? Could God? Has God simply given up on us and abandoned us? I must answer with a resounding "NO!"

Perhaps a more appropriate question is where can we find God in all of the horrific tragedies of life? I do not for one minute believe that God creates such events. A God of love and grace cannot be the cause. And contrary to Marcion's belief, God does not have an evil twin. I believe with all my heart that God responds to the chaos and horror of our world with benevolence, love and grace. Just as God was manifest to the world and humanity in the man, Jesus of Nazareth, God’s Spirit becomes manifest in our world today through humanity. Each of us has the capacity to be powerful instruments of God’s love and grace. We can make God’s love tangible even in the worst of circumstances. Is that not what Christ calls us to do? Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16, NRSV)

Wasn’t it Petula Clark who sang many years ago “What the world needs now is love sweet love”? That is SO true! What the world needs now more than ever before is God’s love sweet love. It is up to us as beloved children of God and disciples of Christ to make that love known throughout the world. Even if we only make it known, by letting Christ’s light shine through us in our little corners of the world, we can make the world a better place little by little. Mother Theresa said: “I can do no great things, only many things with great love.” Let it be so! Let each of us be the hands and feet of God … reaching out in love to give hope those who are hurting in body, mind or spirit.

Do we need to wait for significant natural disasters to act? I certainly hope not! Nor does everyone have to wield an 18-inch Husquvarna chainsaw, as I love to do. Yes, our congregation mobilized, in a matter of days, over 80 physically able people to help with the local disasters pictured above. Amid disasters like hurricane Katrina, the tsunami in Japan and the tornado in Joplin, thousands were mobilized to lend a helping hand. We need not be that physically able. Most certainly, we should not wait for such events or grand-scale mobilization to touch others with the love of Christ. We are given opportunities each and every day to make a positive difference in the lives of others that may be just as powerful, potentially more powerful, than the “big events”.

Tragedies happen in many shapes and sizes … lost pets, loved ones lost to cancer or freak auto accidents, job loss, homes lost to foreclosure, bankruptcy, divorce, amputation from injury in war … and the list goes on. Those facing the tragedy, no matter how big or small in the great scheme of things, need to know the love of God. God is present … we need to make that presence tangible. Seek to see the world as God sees it … with love, benevolence and grace. Then seize the moments placed before you, be filled with the Spirit, and let Christ’s light and love shine forth. Jesus said: “for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me …Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:35-36, 40).

 Go ... touch someone's heart today.