Where is God?
At times such as these, in the wake of new disaster, it is a natural response to ask the question: where is God in all this?
On the heels of the earthquake in Haiti we’ve heard commentary that this event was put into motion by God as some sort of punishment; it’s a response heard in the midst of other large-scale tragedies too. Do I agree? Not in the least. So where is God?
Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ,” and that’s just where God is. It is the body of Christ, as Paul so often described it, working together for the common good; living out love of God and love of neighbor. God is in the hearts of all those who grieve the loss of loved ones helping to bear their burdens. God is in the hearts of the rescuers to empower them with love and compassion, giving them the grace and strength they need to carry on their tasks. God is in the hearts of those who comfort the grieving, blessing them with spiritual sustenance to carry on in the difficulty. God is present with those who are lost, homeless, lacking basic essentials, as he helps guide caregivers to be conduits for his grace on the vine of Christ. God is with the churches, meeting in makeshift locations in Haiti, as they continue to worship and pray; from the dirt plots to the open fields to buildings still standing. God is with those who march, sing and praise him on the rubble-filled streets; singing songs and lifting and opening their hands and hearts to our Creator. God is at work in the hearts of those discovering unique and creative ways of overcoming the roadblocks (literally and figuratively) that might hamper relief efforts. God is in your heart as you pray and grieve over the tragedy in your own way. God is in your heart as you reach out as you are able to assist in the relief efforts.
Where is God in all this? God is everywhere!
On Wednesday, February 17, the season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. Once again we will journey on a path that leads to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Where was God in that tragedy? He was right there in the midst of it all giving birth to Christ’s church; creating something beautiful and good, though not perfect, through the tragedy. The world, and more specifically the country of Haiti, is in the midst of a present-day Good Friday. I have hope and faith that it will ultimately lead to something new and good, manifest in a variety of ways, when we place our faith in God and do the work he calls us to.
Earthquake-type tragedies occur in people’s lives on a daily basis; our friends and neighbors have experienced their own: lives shaken and seemingly torn down to piles of rubble by death itself, broken relationships, sinfulness, abuse or neglect. And continually I see the body of Christ at work, driven by the Holy Spirit, reaching out to bring God’s transforming and healing power to realize a sense of wholeness and peace.
Christ’s resurrection continues to occur in unique ways each day, because of your willingness and intentionality to be a branch on the vine of Christ; a conduit of God’s blessings flowing through you on the way to others. May you, too, see God at work in people each day; reaching out to bear one another’s burdens.
Peace -
Pastor Dave
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