Encouragement

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The remembrance of the thousands who died from a terrorist attack on the world trade center, September 11, 2001, was only about 2 weeks away when Hurricane Katrina struck and brought, upon the U.S, the most devastating tradegy after the civil war. It took away several thousands of lives and left million in grieve; a nation is great agony.

No word would be right enough to soothe the broken hearts of a people who went through such a great storm. What words could any man say to those whose family members are gone; whose homes are no more or those who were looted and raped even when they thought they were saved from the terrible flood? No doubt, no words-but God's- can truly heal such shattered hearts.

On TV, I see pain and agony on the faces of people of the freest nation of the world. Their pains was contagious…my heart was sorrowful for them. How I wish I could be there to go through pains with these wonderful people- to cry when they cry, and embrace them when they needed comfort.

But, though they're divided in their beliefs about the cause of the disaster, Americans were united in the pains that it represents. Americans, one more time, have proved to the world that they are the most caring and compassionate people in a world where everyone thinks about oneself. Through adversity, great people are being revealed. Of a truth, Americans are the greatest of all peoples.

Americans came all out to become Christ's hand of help to their fellow citizens who are in pains. They are God's own people. They have shown that even hurricane Katrina cannot separate them from the love of God, which can be seen only in the loving of our neighbors. They never allowed hurricane Katrina to take away their real identity; what they stand for - the center of freedom.

Wonderful people of the U.S volunteered themselves, released their planes, buses and boats just to evacuate victims from the flooded area. Others released their monies, clothes, foods, homes, and other valuables to refugee camps across neighboring states of the affected area. Several Christians across the country prayed- and are still praying- not just for the dead, but especially for those they left behind.

Jesus would have done all these were He still with us in the flesh. He said in John 15:13 that "Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

Now, though Repent America director Michael Marcavage believed the disaster was an act of God to destroy a wicked city, for tolerating homosexuality celebration, "southern decadence" for too long. I am of a view that Christians should not always be in a haste to translate disasters, as this, as "God's doing." For I believe, God's mercy is limitless and enduring. And so, He won't bring His wrath upon a nation without previous warnings. Go through the bible, you'll not find any time when God punishes His people without prior warnings from His prophets.

And remember, He sends rain on the righteous and the wicked (Mat 5:45). So let us beware of how we define disasters, not for anything but for those ravaged by it, many of whom would be asking God questions like : why have you brought this upon me or my family or my friend or my country?

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