The Presence of God - Part 2 "Reflections on Haiti"

“One of the greatest tragedies of our modern civilization is that you and I can live a trivial life and get away with it” (Tim Hansel). Well, that so called “trivial life” came crashing down on us as a 7.0 earthquake struck one of the poorest nations in the world on Tuesday.

We were quickly reminded, as pictures flooded our living rooms, just how fortunate we were.

We were instantly reminded just how caring the world is as we saw, in the background of the news reports, planes from all over the world flying in with tons of emergency supplies and disaster crews to help search for those trapped.

We were sadly reminded how stupid some radio and TV “talking heads” can be as they tried to turn this tragedy into a political issue/debate concerning our present administration.

And, we discovered just how shallow and theologically inept a popular TV evangelist can be when he tried to blame Haiti’s tragedy on some kind of “pack with the Devil” made back in 1790.

The same question has been raised, as it always is during times like these, in the face of tragedy … where is God? If Jesus’ life, teachings, death and resurrection tells us anything it is that God’s Tabernacle … God’s place of meeting … is with the people within the midst of their lives be it good, bad or indifferent.

So where is God? He is under the concrete with the trapped; he is with the grieving in the midst of their lose; he is in the rescuers as they try to find the missing; he is in the tons of emergency equipment and supplies; he is in those who are responding with their dollars; he is in the prayers that are constantly being offered on behalf of Haiti and its people; he is with the homeless, the hungry, the sick, the dying, the orphaned and childless; he is with the desperate, the worried, the devastated, the needy and the hurting. His Tabernacle is with his people regardless of income, station or religious practices.

The strongest prayer that we can offer in the aftermath of this earthquake is: Dear Lord, may victory grow out of this tragedy!

Quote for today: “Every day may not be good, but there’s something good in every day.” From the blog “Positive Present”