Let me say up front, I have no idea why God allows such disasters to take place. I believe it breaks His heart to see so much suffering . . . and yet He, who alone could have stopped it, did nothing.
No, I don't understand that. But I do know that God originally intended for us to live in a perfect world, free from sin, and heartache, and yes, natural disasters. Because of sin, the whole world now lies under a curse.
God is Almighty - so much bigger than you or I - and His ways are "past finding out". To understand every way in which He works in this world would be to cut Him down to our size. And a God who was just like us wouldn't be much of a God at all.
But this post isn't about that, necessarily. This is more about our own hearts.
First of all, Pat Robertson is an idiot. To say that the Haitians have "been cursed" because they "made a pact with the devil" is just wrong. Yes, Haiti has had its share of brutal leaders, and definitely has deep societal problems. But to castigate an entire people is idiotic. That's tantamount to saying they deserved this.
What about Jesus' very own words in Luke 13? He was asked about a tragedy that happened in His day, and He replied,
"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."
I think perhaps God has a few questions of His own:
Why are you just now so concerned for the people of Haiti? They have always suffered from abject poverty. Isn't that, too, a tragedy? Why did it take an earthquake to shake you from your comfortable nest? Aren't there people all over the world who suffer every day? Where is your concern for them? Isn't it a tragedy that so many Americans need to count calories . . . when there are those in the world who go to bed hungry every night? Where is the justice in that? And what exactly will change now that you have this new-found 'concern'?
You see, I don't question God in events such as these.
I question those of us whom God placed here to make a difference . . . but who instead choose to close our eyes, our hands hanging limply at our sides.
5 comments:
very well said.
my mind keeps milling around the thought that maybe these types of things happen so that our hearts begin to break with the things that break God's heart. like God takes a big highlighter & marks up the map with places we ignore. not that He makes it happen...i am reminded of my reading from Isaiah in the Message last night,
"Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games; monthly conferences, weekly sabbaths, special meetings---meetings, meetings, meetings--I can't stand one more!.....I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning....No matter how long or loud or often yo pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to peices, and your hands are bloody.
Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of evil doings, so I don't have to look at them any long. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. WORK FOR JUSTICE. HELP THE DOWN & OUT. STAND UP FOR THE HOMELSS. GO TO BAT FOR THE DEFENSELESS."
It cut me to the marrow. Like God had my number...was I that concerned with Haiti before this?
guess the answer to my prayer, "break my heart with the things that break yours" is getting answered....just not in the way i thought.
Love this post.
Pat Robertson, shut yo' dang mouth.
Why aren't YOU on the 700 Club!?!?!
Jay was recently reading a book in which one of the characters questions God's allowance for so much suffering. The person overhearing him simply replies by saying there is no way we as humans could fathom our need for a rescuer without these hurts. it's an imperfect explanation from a human, but it really gave me some food for thought.
I really like when people are expressing their opinion and thought. So I like the way you are writing
It is useful to try everything in practice anyway and I like that here it's always possible to find something new. :)
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