When I moved to the area a few years ago, I heard that one day a storm could come and all of Bridge City could be under water. But, that had never happened before and when Hurricane Rita hit, it didn’t happen then either. So, it really couldn’t happen... but it did.
From inches to feet, Bridge City flooded. The images that we received on the television and internet sites could only shock the residents of the Golden Triangle. It was true. Bridge City and parts of Orange were flooded.
It was a Sunday morning that I spoke to my neighbor to find out that my home had not flooded. I was thrilled, but others had suffered catastrophic loss. Then it happened. Someone said to me, “You must be living right, God spared your house.” Those words simply stunned me. I know this person was well meaning, but the Christian gospel message had simply flown by and had not been captured in the least. Good??? Good??? Good has nothing to do with it. Did this dear person not know that Jesus came and preached that it was no longer about being good? God’s favor is about another “G” word, grace! Matthew 5: 45-48 teaches, “This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." (from the Message)
The lesson above is that the world is not a fair one or an equitable one. The rain falls on both good and bad people. The earthquake shakes, the tornado tears, the lightning strikes… with no discretion about who is good or bad. Famine comes, war ravages, violence erupts, crime hits, and disease disables… with no discretion about who is good or bad.
Bridge City is not the first town to suffer and it will not be the last. Again I turn to scripture to find words that comfort. John 9 tells the story of Jesus meeting a blind man listen to what is said, “Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?" Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines.” God did not send Hurricane Ike. (If anything, the ruler of this world, Satan, may be at work) In Jesus we see a man who never walked up to anyone and made them blind, or lame, or sick, or anything detrimental to people. Jesus was a healer, a teacher, a man who loved people, even forgiving those who would kill Him. In that, I find utter comfort. God will be here to help us pick up the pieces and rebuild lives. God was with those who were trapped… God was with those who responded… and God will be with us as we comfort and care for those in need. I believe God, while not causing these events, works through them to show us how to love one another. People are the treasure, not the stuff.
Until next time, God bless!
From inches to feet, Bridge City flooded. The images that we received on the television and internet sites could only shock the residents of the Golden Triangle. It was true. Bridge City and parts of Orange were flooded.
It was a Sunday morning that I spoke to my neighbor to find out that my home had not flooded. I was thrilled, but others had suffered catastrophic loss. Then it happened. Someone said to me, “You must be living right, God spared your house.” Those words simply stunned me. I know this person was well meaning, but the Christian gospel message had simply flown by and had not been captured in the least. Good??? Good??? Good has nothing to do with it. Did this dear person not know that Jesus came and preached that it was no longer about being good? God’s favor is about another “G” word, grace! Matthew 5: 45-48 teaches, “This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you." (from the Message)
The lesson above is that the world is not a fair one or an equitable one. The rain falls on both good and bad people. The earthquake shakes, the tornado tears, the lightning strikes… with no discretion about who is good or bad. Famine comes, war ravages, violence erupts, crime hits, and disease disables… with no discretion about who is good or bad.
Bridge City is not the first town to suffer and it will not be the last. Again I turn to scripture to find words that comfort. John 9 tells the story of Jesus meeting a blind man listen to what is said, “Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, "Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?" Jesus said, "You're asking the wrong question. You're looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do. We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines.” God did not send Hurricane Ike. (If anything, the ruler of this world, Satan, may be at work) In Jesus we see a man who never walked up to anyone and made them blind, or lame, or sick, or anything detrimental to people. Jesus was a healer, a teacher, a man who loved people, even forgiving those who would kill Him. In that, I find utter comfort. God will be here to help us pick up the pieces and rebuild lives. God was with those who were trapped… God was with those who responded… and God will be with us as we comfort and care for those in need. I believe God, while not causing these events, works through them to show us how to love one another. People are the treasure, not the stuff.
Until next time, God bless!
1 comment:
thank you for your perspective, your message of assurance, and your challenge to believers
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