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This past week we have been exposed to a lot of words on television, through e-mail, and in private conversations – words trying to make sense of Hurricane Katrina, or words about the people of New Orleans , or words about how to respond.
As a pastor I have been overwhelmed with requests for aid, some legit and some suspect. I will get to our response, and we are going to take up a special offering in just a bit. But first I want to share with you some thoughts about this time of crisis, and our response not only I giving, but how we think, and how we speak, in the aftermath of the worst natural disaster our county has ever endured.
Most of us remember well last September here in Florida . We were hit by three hurricanes in one month – four during the season, plus another tropical storm. It was no picnic. But does anybody besides me feel a little like a wimp after watching the video from Louisiana , Mississippi and Alabama this week?
What has happened along the gulf coast has been catastrophic, though not entirely unexpected. In fact, as a native Floridian I know that every time a storm enters the gulf there is a fear – “What if it strengthens and hits New Orleans.” Last Sunday, before the hurricane hit, the mayor of New Orleans said, “This is the one we have feared.” He was right.
But what should our response be as Christians when disaster strikes? It is easy to pass judgment. When a tsunami hits an Asian nation do we conclude that it is because they worship false Gods? When an earthquake hits Eastern Europe do we conclude that it is because of political repression? When famine strikes in Africa do we suggest that it is because of some sin?
I have heard some speculation this week that the disaster that has hit the Gulf Coast is the direct result of the sinfulness of the city of New Orleans , and the Casinos on the coast of Mississippi . Is this the wrath of God? May I suggest to you that we have not yet begun to see the wrath of God? The wrath of God comes with a very clear message, “Repent in so many days or I will destroy this city.” New Orleans is not one of my favorite cities, but if this is judgment then we better line up, because there is a lot of sin to go around.
There is no clear message in this tragedy, but there are a lot of things we can learn.
1. Do not ignore the inevitable consequence of our choices.
New Orleans has lived with an awareness for a long time that a major storm would have precisely this effect. A headline on the Gainesville Sun the day before the storm hit stated, “A category five could submerge the city.” Hurricane experts have predicted for years. Politicians have fought over what to do about it for decades, while not much got done.
I don't know about the idea of God sending a storm to New Orleans to send a message. But I do know this – storms happen, to everyone. And if we are not prepared for them their affect can be devastating.
Let's be very careful about judging people or cities in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. But let's also learn a very important personal lesson (and only hope that our leaders can learn it as a larger corporate lesson)…
We cannot live our lives knowing the consequence of choices we make and act like those choices don't matter.
People drink and drive and have an accident. That accident isn't God's wrath, or even his punishment. It is the consequence of doing something we know is stupid. People have sex outside of marriage, and disease or unplanned pregnancy result. Disease is not God's wrath – it is what happens. Pregnancy isn't God's punishment (in fact the life that results is precious to God) it is what happens.
We cannot live however we want to live and pretend like nothing is going to happen.
In Matthew chapter seven Jesus told a story about a man building his house on rock, and being able to withstand storms when they came. Which leads me to my second point…
2. Storms happen in all of our lives.
There is an old saying, “Two things are certain – death and taxes.” There are a lot more than two things that are certain. One is difficulty . The meaning of Jesus' story about the man building his house on the rock is clear – storms will come into all of our lives. What we do before the storm will have everything to do with how well we weather those storms.
We can point fingers at New Orleans all day long for building a city in a bowl. Building a city in a bowl on the Gulf of Mexico isn't smart. But that decision was made for that city hundreds of years ago (which tempts me to talk about the choices one generation makes affecting succeeding generations – but I'll save that for “words”). The point is, storms will happen, especially on the gulf coast. We need to live with an awareness (not a fear) of storms – and prepare for them.
I'm not talking about hurricanes. Accidents happen to good people. Jackie and I went through two in a little over a month a few years ago. Sickness happens to good people, even in churches that believe in healing. Good people lose their jobs, struggle with their finances and even go through hurricanes. How we face those storms tells what we are made of.
We do need to prepare for storms. Don't disregard your health. Keep your car insured. Don't spend your money foolishly. Seek wisdom and then obey it. Jesus said to listen to his words and then obey him is like building your house on a rock instead of sand. Hearing and obeying the words of Jesus ahead of time will help us to face storms with some sense of certainty.
3. Keep a good/eternal perspective on “things”.
One of the remarkable differences among people interviewed on television in the aftermath of the storm is their perspective. Obviously the suffering is great, and I wouldn't judge people too harshly over things they may say. But some are already angry and bitter and others are simply glad to be alive.
If you saw it you will never forget the man who told the story of holding on to his wife's hand until she made him let go in order to grip the children more tightly. The news reporter wept as he shared the story with her.
Some things are important, but the most important things are not things. They are people…our faith…our lives. God blesses us with many things in this life. Scripture itself says that God gives us the power to gain wealth, but if you keep reading you will find that the purpose behind things is always to accomplish something more important than the mere acquisition of more stuff.
Proverbs 30:8,9 reads…
8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, `Who is the LORD?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God.
These words are written by Agur, a prophet (interesting that they aren't written by Solomon). He says that extremes regarding possessions can both cause trouble. The desperation that comes from too little may drive people to do terrible things, like stealing. The news has certainly shown the spotlight on that one for the last week.
The other extreme is to become so far removed from greed that we forget who gave us our wealth in the first place.
I used to think that money itself was evil. I felt guilty if I accumulated any money in my bank account while I knew of any one person in need. But the Scriptures teach us to have a good work ethic and to be wise with finances. In fact they even promise financial blessings to those who obey Biblical principles. Why? There are a lot of reasons…
- It is in God's nature to give.
- God loves us and wants to bless us.
- He hates the ministry of the devil who comes to steal kill and destroy.
- He wants to put us in the position to bless others
Paul wrote to Timothy…
1st Timothy 6:17-19
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
4. Receive help when you need it. Give whenever you can.
We all need help sometimes. Our needs may or may not be financial, but the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to the poor – that is it belongs to those who acknowledge their need.
When you are in need you should admit it. Ask for help. Don't be too proud to admit that you have a need. God may want to bless someone around you by meeting your need through them.
You should also give whenever you have the opportunity. The Bible is filed with admonitions to give. There are commands to give to the poor, to give to the regular day to day ministry of the church, and to give when special needs arise (like building buildings).
There are also commands to give when we see the special needs of others. In 1 John 3 the apostle wrote,
17 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”
This leads me to the need at hand. We al know that there are thousands upon thousands of people in tremendous need right now as a direct result of Hurricane Katrina. The need is overwhelming. Where do we begin?
We have been looking into ways that we can help, and will continue to do so. There is no shortage of legitimate ways to offer assistance. Unfortunately there will also be no shortage of those who wish to exploit the situation for their own gain. As bad as looting is I think price gouging or raising money that will never be passed on to the victims is worse.
There are good organizations that exist for the very purpose of helping people like those in Louisiana . The Red Cross and Salvation Army have a good track record and are already on the ground helping. I have put together a short list for those of you who want to do something outside of the offering we are about to take.
I spoke with a young man from Desire Street Ministries yesterday. They are right in the middle of New Orleans , and will continue to minister there (though they may have lost their facility). We will be in touch with them to see if we can help.
There are also Vineyard churches in the immediate area of the devastation, and in the major areas receiving evacuees. Mark Droiun is an inner city Vineyard pastor in New Orleans . He escaped the wrath of the storm, and then saw church members on television on rooftops crying to be rescued. He will certainly be involved in the relief effort.
Our national headquarters in is in the Houston area and has been inundated with questions about what Vineyard churches can do. Vineyards in Louisiana and Mississippi are mobilizing to receive people and to offer assistance. Every penny given in our offering today will go directly to help people in the affected areas through local churches.
Pray. Help individuals you may know of affected by the storm.
In our own church people like Rick LaFave and Ericson Frank lead ministries that minister to people in need everyday. We will be in touch with them as to how we may help in ways that don't involve money (furniture, clothing, etc.). LET'S PRAY! |
