How Will we Respond?

There are many attempts to explain why disasters strike, why bad things happen, and why it often happens to good people. Some put the whole blame on God for actively causing the event, while others put the blame on God for not acting quickly enough to stop it from happening. Either way, for those who want to lay blame, God has little escape.

Personally, I question whether God causes great disasters – although Noah would certainly disagree. To Noah’s objection I would say that in ancient biblical times God moved powerfully through natural events, and in Revelation God will again call upon the forces of heaven and earth to bring about judgment. Nevertheless, in our current age I wonder if God isn’t far more reserved.

Currently, there seems to be a randomness to it all that is somehow impartial. As Jesus said, “It rains on the just and the unjust alike.” (Matt 5:45) For the most part, I don’t think God plays favorites. While wonderful stories of God’s miraculous deliverance are being told with the latest round of devastating storms, there are also horrific stories of pain and loss. (I suppose if miracles happened every day they wouldn’t be miracles.) Why God chooses to spare some and not others is a mystery I cannot fathom. All I know is that good or evil, saint or sinner, it rains on the just and the unjust alike. Yet, in the midst of those storms I know God was there. There was not a moment when God turned a blind eye to those who were in harm’s way. There was not a moment when Jesus refused to hear their prayers. There was not a child, parent or adult that God did not love or care about. Perhaps asking who caused this is the wrong question. After all, what can we do if God, the Devil or just random chance brought about the storms this spring? Does knowing who or what is absolutely to blame really change anything? While it’s not sinfully-inappropriate to ask, does knowing really help us deal with our present situation?

Instead, I think there is a more essential question. Shouldn’t we be asking: how will we respond? What if God’s intention (caused or allowed) is to give us the opportunity to love our neighbor?

Do you want to live for Jesus? Here is your chance. Do you want to carry your cross for Christ? Here is your opportunity. Do you want to make a difference in the world? Then roll up your sleeves because here is your invitation to do something.

In the next few weeks we will be asking for volunteers to help with the cleanup of homes devastated by flood and storm. We invite you to sign up at church or call the office to let us know that you might be available for a day or two to work with a team. We’re also exploring the possibility of providing training through UMCOR that will help volunteers know how to work safely in a disaster area and know how to respond to the personal needs of storm survivors.

Rev. Tim Ozment
Lead Pastor